Replies

>> The 17th Amendment is one of several ugly ink blotch on rather beautiful Constitution. <<

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 If you perfer the outdated European style system where they have a "House of Lords" choosen by the "enlightened few", you're welcome to move there.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.

There is no direct line from my choices in the state legislature to the federal government. The 17th Amendment severed that, I guess you could care less or maybe you would rather just have a pure democracy and damed the Republic.

And billy, there were more honorable statesman before the 17th amendment than after. Also, there was less corruption on a Federal level than before the 17th amendment (Income tax helps in aiding the current corruption though).

I call my Senators quite often. All I get are interns and an answer machines.

Do you know who I see out and about and can talk to face to face? My State Rep. I know where they live as well as my neighbors. Also, you do know they are up for ELECTIONS from time to time.

You talk of giving power to government elites is hilarious considering the names of Lautenburg, Jeffords, Mondale, Nelson, Byrd, Rockefeller etc... who are stationed there for life (If they want), all they have to do is grease the right people just like before but know with the power of a national party behind them.

I would rather my chances of the State Leg deciding and having that Senator under their thumbs than a self-absorbed individual beholden to himself and not the State he or she is appointed to represent.