The 17th amendment, like the 2nd amendment, is a welcome addition to the Consitution that gives power back to INDIVIDUALS instead of government elites. It also wonderfully compliments the 10th amendment, except for those who ignore the "or to the people" clause.
I'm a small government conservative. Government exists to do what people cannot do for themselves, and people are perfectly capable of choosing their federal representatives. The last thing we need is bigger governemnt at the state level. If you perfer the outdated European style system where they have a "House of Lords" choosen by the "enlightened few", you're welcome to move there. I'm sure you'll love their aristocratic ways.
I know I'd wouldn't want my "state legislature" picking out what socks I wear for the day, let alone who my Senator should be. Most of them are crooked hacks who have re-districted themselves into office for life. We can't even "hold them accountable" because they run unopposed.