It is sad indeed. I have totally lost respect for the Senate. They are supposed to be statesmen and decision makers looking out for the interests of the American people. Instead they are a bunch of corrupt, power hungry, childish, gutless wonders who can't see past the next election. They are only looking out for their own self-interests and I for one am sick of it. TERM LIMITS.
I heard a short interview on the radio a few weeks ago, and the host made the point that the U.S. Senate ceased to be an institution worthy of respect once the Senators were elected by the voters of each state. Before the 17th Amendment was ratified (I believe it was the 17th), U.S. Senators were appointed by each state in the manner it saw fit. Some states may have elected them, but I think in most states the Senators were appointed by the state legislature.