Sorry, I should have written "accountable to the people". For instance, right now I can vote against Senator Boxer in the next election. And I can also vote for a conservative in the primary to run against her. The people (i.e. me) can hold her accountable.
If she was elected by the state legislature, how could I vote her out? How could I make sure conservatives were elected?
I could vote for a republican state house and senate, but what if the state legislature is gerrymandered? What if 50.1% want a democratic legislator based on local state issues? What if people don't understand the relationship between the state legislature and the senate? They may dislike the senator Boxer but like their local democratic legislature.
And even if we get a republican house and senate in Calf, what if the RINO’s grab hold of the process (or cut a deal) and put a RINO in office?
The problem NOW is that a lot of senators and federal judges are not accountable. This may be what the founders wanted for the senate, but they did not intend for federal judges to become kings who overrule the legislatures at will. IMO, this powergrab by the judges in past 50 years is unconstitutional. They have again and again ignored the plainly written laws and constitutional rights. And they have written in rights and laws that do not exist.
Why have hey have gotten away with? Not because of too much democracy but it because political elite supports them. Making the Senate less accountable to the average voter (who is conservative) will end up in a more elitist – socially liberal – senate.
If she was elected by the state legislature, how could I vote her out? Change your state legislation. If your fellow state citizens don't agree, then she deserves to be Senator.
I could vote for a republican state house and senate, but what if the state legislature is gerrymandered?
I'm not aware of state districs being reapportioned the way that Congressional districts are reapportioned. That could just be me, though.
What if people don't understand the relationship between the state legislature and the senate? They may dislike the senator Boxer but like their local democratic legislature.
They'll learn. Quickly.
they did not intend for federal judges to become kings who overrule the legislatures at will.
True, but that is a result of national bloc politics that focus more on party affiliation than local state issues. It is more important that Democrats maintain power in any way possible. They are drawing their last stand line in the sand with the Judiciary because they realize that the public is turning away from them and rejecting their message. Since they can't win at the ballot, they are trying to legislate from the judicial bench.
I believe that we can break the stranglehold on central politics run by the Clintons and McAuliffes of the world by returning control of the Senate to the states and taking away the need for national party support.
-PJ