Senators used to essentially be 2 ambassadors from the legislature of each state to the federal government. If they failed to represent that state, they were removed when their term was up. (Is there a case where a legislature removed one earlier? That would be fascinating.)
In any case, everything entrusted to the senate in the constitution was premised on those senators being ambassadors from their state legislature. Impeachment trial...what each state legislature thought. Treaty...what each legislature thought. Confirmation of judges and officials...what each legislature thought.
Why does this matter? Imagine the old senate debating a national health care plan? Imagine a debate about giving benefits to indigent foreigners going on our welfare system. How would it be different if that senator knew he was working for his state legislature?
<>How would it be different if that senator knew he was working for his state legislature?<>
The senate-of-the-states was indeed the keystone to the Framers’ design. The progs knew EXACTLY what they were doing with the 16th and 17th Amendments. What is amazing is that our democratic republic has lasted, even in its battered shape, for 104 subsequent years.
But, we are on the cusp of open tyranny. There is little time to reverse course.