As far as amendments go, I would get rid of the 16th, 17th, rewrite the 14th, and add a life at conception amendment, add a term limits for judges amendment, an amendment requiring a total annual budget by a date certain, a marriage amendment, a prohibition of federal control and/or ownership of land amendment, an amendment giving enforcement power to Congress, and an amendment requiring advice and consent on executive actions.
In an ideal world, it is easier to have influence over a smaller piece of geography than over a larger. That was the purpose of the senators being selected by the state legislature. My state legislative district here in southern ohio can be driven across in an hour. I know my state rep, I know many who know him, I’ve met him a number of times, and I actually know what he believes.
If I had to pick a delegate to select a senator, he’s on the list of one I’d pick from our area. Ideally, this is replicated throughout our state.
And that is why a properly functioning legislative selection of a senator is a better idea than a state wide campaign, in my opinion.
I don’t often disagree with you, Wags. Maybe if I didn’t know my state legislator, I’d feel differently. But, I don’t think it’s hard anywhere in the USA for a person to know their local state rep....or work to replace one.
In an ideal world this is probably true, it's certainly more likely in rural areas than urban ones. However, I'm not aware of any senators who didn't have the full support of their party members in the legislature.
My college roommate is a Virginia State Senator, he's a conservative from a VERY conservative rural district, yet he supported Eric Cantor last June.