[Lazamataz]

The 17th amendment calls for popular election of Senators. Originally, they were selected by state governments. The concept was they would be sent to protect states and states rights, and would be a check against the 'Elected by whim of the people' Congress. Congress was intended to be very responsive to the publics needs, and the Senate was intended to be very responsive to their states needs and states rights in general.

When the Senate became popularly elected, they became just like the Congress. Thusly you see the burgeoning and explosive growth in the power and range of the Federal Leviathon.

The 17th did more damage to America than any other amendment, including the 16th.

[Magnum44]

Thank you both. I see your points and I tend to agree, though I would have to consider the arguments for the amendment in the first place to fully understand the impact.

However, I believe the reality is that, the repeal of any amendment to the constitution is beyond the reach of any single president (let alone in less than 2 years). So I find Lazamataz's conditionals on voting for GW, in the event he were to sign a CFR bill, to be unrealistic and again your position is predisposed without consideration of what the Courts or other future events may bring.