I completely agree!
The 17th amendment was part of the socialist movement to transition us from a Republic to a Demoncracy.
The talk about eliminating the electoral college is towards the same end.
Repeal the 17th
Electoral seats to be awarded on a per congressional district system. The two “state” electorial seats goes to the winner of most seats in a state and to the candidate that received the most votes.
Balanced budget by taking last years total spend, divide it in half Part A - Divide by 50 = Senate cost - is distributed to each state. The second half Part B - Divide by 435 = House cost - is distributed to each state according to the number of congressional districts in that state. Each state then decides how best to collect monies from it’s citizens to pay the tax bill. States which don’t pay lose their votes in Congress.
No pay for any Senator or Congress member if after Oct 1st there is no passed budget. Budgets which spend less than the prior year require simple majority of both houses. Budgets that spend more but less than the rate of inflation, require +4% (or 55% of both houses). Budgets that exceed the rate of inflation require +9% (or 60% of both houses). If no budget passed by Oct 1st, prior years budget is used.
Adopt Gold Equivilant Oz measure of the total value of US Federal unfettered assets each cenus based up the average spot price of gold for the prior year. Congress then sets the official gold exchange rate and can not delegate.
These five create a self correcting feed back loop to reduce long term spending.