While I am somewhat inclined to agree with you, the courts say differently (and there is a bit of a point here) and as we are now talking about things in a legal arena the legal aspects must be considered. — We know that the people-of-the-states is different than the states themselves because the USSC denied hearing the Prop 8 case citing the people themselves lacked standing (I thoroughly disagree, as this asserts that the State's supreme court cannot certify standing and places the States in an utterly subservient position to the federal government).
Were we to repeal the 17th, I would like to have the process for appointing [and removing/recalling] the Senator to be up to the States themselves.
The state governments can go to hell, most of them suck, even the GOP ones.
If you're talking the people in political positions, I agree.
If you're talking the Constitution / structure of them I disagree; there's a lot of good stuff in the various state constitutions.
(Given the GOP comment I assume you meant the former.)
I was yes, even in our best states, unfortunately. The House Speaker in Texas is a RINO. Utah couldn't find enough votes to override the Republican Governor's veto of a bill allowing constitutional carry. Alaska is practically a 3 party system, RINO/RAT/Conservative.