[billbears]

My god - Putin has read the Federalist papers!! - PS: Senators in America used to be appointed not directly elected - nor is our president directly elected - England also used to have an appointed not elected system for mayors etc (London only had direct elections for mayor in 2000)

Unfortunately the last state to appoint their electors disappeared in 1868 (South Carolina) if I'm not mistaken. As for the popular election of Senators that is one of the major things that has brought this nation of states to the point that it is currently. I agree with you. We should not be voting for Senators or the President. I imagine shortly after a return to this form of government, a distressing (to some) drop in government programs would occur as the Senators would no longer need to pander to the citizens of the their states for votes

[Destro]

What is amusing or disturbing (or both) is that what Putin said is coming from a classical conservative background yet so called conservatives on Free Republic are slamming him for it. In other words some American conservatives no longer have a clue what it means to be conservative.