[ronnietherocket3]

The natural follow up question is, how did so many states vote to ratify this amendment and voluntarily give up their balanced check to the populace?>

Because the State Governments are elected by the people of the States.

There were a couple of problems related to the election of senators prior to the 17th amendment. Corruption was one of them. Another issue was deadlock in picking a senator to represent the state. Sometimes a state would go a couple of years before picking a senator. The third issue is that a large quantity of state legislative races became dominated by the question of who would the candidate vote for for US Senate.

The first issue is a problem generic to governments. The second one could probably be fixed fairly easily. The third issue is a serious challenge to repeal. I think repeal would require a provision stating that nomination and votes for US Senator must be done in secret. All nominations will be done by dropping a name in a hat and the ballot must be secret. It may also need to be made a felony for a state legislator to discuss publicly who they plan to vote for or voted for.

[ronnietherocket3]

I am in favor of repealing the 17th amendment.

[YankeeinOkieville]

The third issue is that a large quantity of state legislative races became dominated by the question of who would the candidate vote for for US Senate.

It may be one consideration but I don't know as it would influence the average voter any more than the likely pick of a presidential candidate for the question of Supreme Court Justice as opposed to other pressing issues. Or are you saying it absolutely did as a matter of historical fact, as opposed to it probably did as a matter of your opinion. (not meaning to challenge your assertion but wishing to understand its validity)

It may also need to be made a felony for a state legislator to discuss publicly who they plan to vote for or voted for.

IOW, you're advocating that by becoming a state legislator, a person would give up his/her right to voice an opinion or preference (thinking first amendment here) to the same extent of punishment as if they'd murdered, kidnapped or burgled? Not sure I'd be in agreement with that one.

[Mack the knife]

“American Titans” had an episode lately showing two copper barons in a bribing war of the Montana legislators for picking their US Senate candidates in the 1890s. As I recall, the bribes reached tens of thousands of dollars before all was revealed to the Eastern press.

Since copper use was expanding with the use of electricity, the copper barons had loads of cash, and wanted to translate that into political power.

This was fresh in the minds of voters when the 17th was considered.