Indeed, there were many problems with the selection and maintenance of Senators prior to the ratification of the 17th... most of them caused by the press playing king maker and power broker both overtly and covertly.
Now a Senator need only casually visits the state he lays claim to, and has no reason to act in its behalf, except to buy votes.
It would be difficult to select a section of the Federal Government that has caused more physical, financial, emotional, or proprietary harm to the Citizens and the States, than the U.S. Senate over the last 100 years.
That about sums things up here in ND, IMHO. I'd be thrilled to see the 17th go the way of the dodo.