What is not stated is that the Constitutional Convention had originally written the Preamble to read “We the States of...” and then the states present at the Convention were listed. The Preamble was changed to read We the People prior to submission to the Continental Congress. I think the original Preamble shows intent.
Also, the states ratified the Constitution, not the people by popular vote, although the people voted for delegates attending the state ratification conventions.
The states also ratify amendments to the Constitution. The states elect the President through the electoral college.
I maintain that the states have power to nullify unconstitutional laws and court decisions as in the Kentucky Resolution of 1798.
Not true. Early state constitutions were legislative acts. By the mid-80s some were rewritten and ratified by conventions of the people. The Framers recognized the higher-order nature of popularly ratified constitutions and incorporated that method in their draft constitution.
Tuesday August 6, 1787
In Convention.
Mr. John Francis Mercer from Maryland took his seat.
Mr. RUTLIDGE delivered in the Report of the Committee of detail as follows: a printed copy being at the same time furnished to each member:
"We the people of the States of New Hampshire, Massachussetts, Rhode-Island and Providence Plantations, Connecticut, New-York, New-Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North-Carolina, South-Carolina, and Georgia, do ordain, declare, and establish the following Constitution for the Government of Ourselves and our Posterity."