<>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.
The bottom line for me is that the constitution was written with a different Senate in mind than the one we have. It was written with a discussion between state legislature and senator in mind before any vote.