Section 3 The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two Senators from each state, chosen by the Legislature thereof...
- This was changed by the 17th Amendment on May 31, 1913 which says: The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two senators from each State, elected by the people thereof...
This balance between the nation and state governments out to be dwelt on with peculiar attention, as it is of the utmost importance. It forms a double security to the people. If one encroaches on their rights, they will find a powerful protection in the other. Indeed they will both be prevented from overpassing their constitutional limits, by a certain rivalship, which will ever subsist between them...
- Alexander Hamilton at the New York Constitutional Convention
The State governments may be regarded as constituent and essential parts of the federal government...
- James Madison
- The members of the Senate originally served to defend the powers of the state governments.
- This amendment changes us to more of a democracy, than the originally proposed Republic.
- The problem with this is the fact that every man is a sinner.
- By nature we are not good.
- The people need to be limited and restricted in their use of power just as much as the rulers.
- In a democracy it is possible for the majority to step on the Rights of the minority.
- With the proper balance of powers in a Republic, this cannot happen.
- The 17th Amendment should be repealed to return the balance of powers to the Founding Fathers vision.
- It takes away from the state governments their representation in the
Senate.
- It seriously hampers states in any attempts to limit and contain the
general government.