[Political Junkie Too]

Because we no longer have a Senate that is beholden to states' interests that oversees the confirmation of federal department heads?

Because we now have a Senate that is more interested in protecting party interests, therefore they look the other way when their party is in control?

Because the 17th amendment drives Senators to toe the party line or else lose campaign funds that weren't necessary before the 17th, when state legislatures appointed their Senators without the need for elections?

-PJ

[Jacquerie]

Yes.

Yes.

And yes.

[Jacquerie]

One of my faults is watching the morning C-Span show.

Ninety nine percent of the rat callers think the purpose of Congress is to rubber-stamp whatever ‘Bam wants.

The 17th was supposedly designed to make Senators accountable to the people. It did the opposite. As you pointed out, they are beholden to their parties, and rats face certain defeat if they buck the diktats of El Presidente.