Repeal 17tth Amendment
Dear Editor,
Article 1 Section 3 of the Constitution of the United States
The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two Senators from each State, chosen by the Legislature thereof, for six Years; and each Senator shall have one Vote.
The 17th Amendment (Amendment XVII) to the United States Constitution established the direct election of United States senators in each state. The amendment supersedes Article I, Section 3, Clauses 1 and 2 of the Constitution, under which senators were elected by state legislatures.
What this means is that senators, of which there are two for each state, were selected by the state legislature, not the people. The reason is the senators are there to represent the states and their interests at the federal level. The House of Representatives is there to represent the people. When the 17th Amendment was instituted, it took away the representation of the states. It changed the whole concept of what our federal government is supposed to be, that being a constitutional republic. Given that senators are now elected by popular vote, why do we need it? All it does is make the House bigger.
Think about what would happen if it went back to the way our founding fathers originally set it up. Suddenly, local elections would become more important. Knowing that the legislature would select the senators would change the dynamic, and would motivate more people to participate in the election process all the way from local elections to up the line to the federal level. Knowing that who you elect to the state level would affect the federal level would motivate more people to participate.
Obviously, the simple answer is to repeal the 17th Amendment and return the system to what it originally was, which would return a lot of power back to we the people, albeit indirectly.
Of course, the (National Socialist) Democrat Party would be apoplectic if this were passed because of the number of red states versus blue. That’s why it would be a major benefit to the American citizen.
And while we’re at it, we need to impose term limits on those “professional politicians,” again to return power back to we the people.
This action would scare the hell out of the lords and ladies who currently occupy office because they suddenly would be accountable to us as it was and should be.
Carpe diem,
Alan Marshall
Too easy to gerrymander House seats (which is done by both parties) versus senator elections that cover too wide a swath of states, so the actual majority of a state has voice. I suppose short-term thinkers would see it as a win for republicans given the current makeup of the house and the Senate.
Yes, it makes good sense as a way to balance power, which was why the founders originally set it up that way. This political “hot potato” might well be added to the “Convention of States” list.
Alan you can’t be serious, do think for a minute those in power will give up that power, not to mention all election fund raising dollars that are raised and miss spent by the politicians and political election committees. That’s almost like telling those in office to stop the automatic raise they get, they used to have to vote on that each year. Remember how to boil a frog.
AUssie,
I agree with you 100%, but the lack of of action on the part of We the People that has lead to everything you have said. And THEY are the ones boiling the frog and if you want to know who the frog is, look in the mirror or out on the street.
WE are the ones that can stop this madness, but the lack of action on the part of people is what is and has brought about the figurative chains and whips they are using to get their ways while keeping us in line.
The answer is in your own post; “…those in power…” That is what needs to changed and it’s We the People that can change it IF we just get off our collective a**ess and simply exercise our basic right to vote.
Oh, I forgot, the majority of people are too lazy or are too busy with Tic-Toc or some other form social media to look around and see what’s happening to them and are too LAZY to get out and vote.
Those in power do not have to give it up. We gave it to them and we can take it back very simply. VOTE THE BUMS OUT! The power is ours give and take, IF people get out and use it.
Use it or lose it folks. Carpe Diem!!!