Thursday, September 02, 2010

The 17th Amendment, neo-secessionists and the Return of Federalism

The 17th Amendment, neo-secessionists and the Return of Federalism; Atticus Queeg

...The more moderate members of this movement have suggested a simple and elegant solution to this question, an idea which dates back to the original intent of the framers, namely the repeal of the 17th Amendment mandating direct election of Senators. There are three primary arguments in favor of this proposed action:
1. The purpose of the state legislatures selecting Senators was considered to be very important to the founders.
2. The wrong that direct election of senators was thought to correct has not and will not be alleviated.
3. Repeal of the 17th Amendment will increase interest in elections to state legislature which will increase the quality of representation and governance in the states.

In Federalist No. 62, James Madison said that the system proposed would give “to the State governments such an agency in the formation of the federal government as must secure the authority of the former, and may form a convenient link between the two systems”. The Founders saw the Senate as a way to represent the States as an entity and create a link through which the governments of the several states could act as a counterbalance to the majoritarian impulses of the people at large, represented by the House. The intent was clear through most of Federalist 62, 63 and 64 that the Senators were not intended to be “super Representatives” and should be free from the burden of campaigning and pandering, instead being a wise and august body presenting a stable front both to the people and other nations. ...

Read the whole post here.


Comment: I believe the third point would be the most beneficial to our community well-being besides removing the oligarchs from the US Senate.

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