The state legislatures currently abound with the "illiterate and ignorant". Take the Virginia legislature for an example ~ Gag gag gag gag gag gag gag!!!! gag gag gag
That's a maybe and in some states that may be true. But I would put my trust in the intent of the Framers rather than the majority of the people I know, even on this site, that shill for politicians as if they're getting paid. And then somehow get upset two years later when 'their' political hack has somehow disappointed them. The state legislatures were meant to be a buffer between the people and the Senate, as the Senate would be about the more important business of this nation of states as a whole. The general public for the most part doesn't understand all the issues that the Senate covers. Heck I admit I read many of the bills and can't say I could make an informed decision on every one of them. Rather, the public treats Senate seats as some sort of football game, even calling for 'winning back the Senate at all costs' (fat lot of good that has done)
Unfortunately, the Senate has just become a higher House of Representatives with 101 political hacks fighting for soundbite airtime to complain about the other party and to let the faithful in their home state know they're working all so hard for them. Just the fact that the news wouldn't be filled with political doubletalk from a pack of liars, cheats, and grifters on both sides of the aisle (as they wouldn't be pandering for votes) is promising in and of itself
That is of course unless you believe the Framers were wrong and the two parties have done so much better in the past 80 years. But of course this comes from a conservative view and not a party faithful view.