Repeal the 17th Amendment (millionaires, lobbyists, lobby, Pennsylvania)

[hawkeye2009]

Few citizens are aware that US senators used to be appointed by state legislatures, rather than voted into office. This was established in the Constitution. The founding fathers knew that a few represenatives (two senators) could be "purchased" by outside entities and thus not reflect the interests of the state. It used to be that if Senators did not reflect the interests of the state, they were recalled.

Now we have Senators leaving office as mulit-millionaires, having been "purchased" by wealthy citizens and lobbyists, trading our liberty for cash.

Repeal the 17th.

[rbohm]

i am with you brother!

[Grsz11]

Doesn't that just pass the influence of money along to the state legislature and the vote out of the peoples hands altogether?

[Greg_IA]

I agree with Hawkeye.

[It'sAutomatic]

They'll just purchase the state legislators instead.

[Quick Enough]

Originally Posted by hawkeye2009

Few citizens are aware that US senators used to be appointed by state legislatures, rather than voted into office. This was established in the Constitution. The founding fathers knew that a few represenatives (two senators) could be "purchased" by outside entities and thus not reflect the interests of the state. It used to be that if Senators did not reflect the interests of the state, they were recalled.

Now we have Senators leaving office as mulit-millionaires, having been "purchased" by wealthy citizens and lobbyists, trading our liberty for cash.

Repeal the 17th.

What I find amazing is how during the tenures as Senators all we hear from them is how they are "representing" their states and the voters who elected them.

Then, when they "retire" from the Senate don't go home but, continue to work in D.C usually as a lobbyist!.

[BentBow]

Originally Posted by hawkeye2009

Few citizens are aware that US senators used to be appointed by state legislatures, rather than voted into office. This was established in the Constitution. The founding fathers knew that a few represenatives (two senators) could be "purchased" by outside entities and thus not reflect the interests of the state. It used to be that if Senators did not reflect the interests of the state, they were recalled.

Now we have Senators leaving office as mulit-millionaires, having been "purchased" by wealthy citizens and lobbyists, trading our liberty for cash.

Repeal the 17th.

I would vote yes.


There is not State legislature representation

[pch1013]

Originally Posted by Quick Enough

What I find amazing is how during the tenures as Senators all we hear from them is how they are "representing" their states and the voters who elected them.

Then, when they "retire" from the Senate don't go home but, continue to work in D.C usually as a lobbyist!.

And repealing the 17th would do absolutely nothing to prevent that.

Of course it *just so happens* that a majority of state legislatures are currently run by Republicans. Just like voter ID, it's yet another cynically transparent GOTP attempt at a power grab.

[pch1013]

Originally Posted by It'sAutomatic

They'll just purchase the state legislators instead.

You've just hit on the reason why the 17th Amendment was passed in the first place.

[GABESTA535]

So Republican gerrymandered state legislatures in blue states like Michigan Pennsylvania and Wisconsin could appoint Republican senators? No thanks