Posted on 11/21/2012 6:14:03 PM PST by ReaganÜberAlles
"What's wrong with the people choosing their own Senators?
For starters, this amendment strips power from the states, which ultimately strengthens the federal government. This Amendment removes an important check and balance between the federal government and the states."
Too many of the rank and file citizen are too uneducated to realize that the states themselves as an entity need representation too...
...as if an Amendment to the Constitution (or the repeal thereof) would mean any more than the Constitution itself, which, of course, is no longer a “controlling legal authority”..
Too many of the rank and file citizen are too uneducated to realize that the states themselves as an entity need representation too...
Correct! Ironically, this amendment allowing people to vote for senators took power away from the people in each state. The state lost the power of having senators fight for what the states needed, and senators from various states joined together against what their individual states deemed necessary. Do away with this ASAP.
Agree Heartily!
Ping.
Absolutely true! Undermines the Federal System. The House to represent the people, based on population, the Senate to represent the States, with two representatives per, so that the states may maintain what sovreignty they had via the Constitution. That’s exactly how I teach it to my High School senior Government class.
I think we should just redo the whole thing and have the President chosen by the House from amongst the Senators (chosen by state legislatures) and Governors.
But if we could do that, can’t we just abolish the income tax amendment??
For your consideration Cripple.
How might the idea of repeal, as unlikely as it is, alter the outcome of what we do now?
I would say that you would need a state to disobey the 17th amendment and elect senators via the state legislature. This would set up a supreme court case which could negate the 17th amendment. Or since the constitution allows the states to choose senators maybe nothing will happen other than congress not allowing them to be seated. It would be interesting if a state had the cajones to do it.
I’m fer it.
The Supreme Court can't overturn amendments, by definition.
This is yet another stupid waste of time and energy that has zero chance of ever happening.
No. I don’t trust the legislature.
I like your style. I just hope that there is one state that has the nerve to stand up and elect their own senators, and see what happens. Since the 17th was passed in 1913, I would love to see it happen on it’s 100th year anniversary ! !
The 17TH removed a major check of Washington’s power in some very insidious ways. Our supreme Court rules at the pleasure of the Senate. Have you wondered why it seems that even conservative justices trivialize States rights? Our Supreme Court is no longer beholden to the individual states power to appoint the people who can deny their tenure.
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