How do you feel about repealing the 17th Amendment?

Answer 1

The Seventeenth Amendment was ratified during the Era of Progressivism because many were concerned over the controlling of the Senate, the "Millionaire's Club," by the bug businesses and trusts. It gave the power to elect senators to the people, as opposed to the states legislatures. However, it is obvious that Article V. of the Constitution of the United States was not read: the Seventeenth Amendment deprives states, not the people, their right to be represented in Congress, obviously a blow to the idea of federalism. Therefore, the Seventeenth Amendment must be repealed.

Answer 2

To all who support the 17th, your comments are foolish. You people obviously don't comprehend anything about what the framers tried to do in drafting the constitution. First, the states were to be sovereign with the exception of those responsibilities that they themselves could not accomplish. Read article 1 section 8 which entails the enumerated and specific powers granted to the federal government, all other powers were to be left to the states, read the 10th amendment. The delegates sent to the constitutional convention would have NEVER accepted the terms of the constitution if they knew the states they represented would not have a say or a position in the congress. Ever wonder why we have a bicameral congress?? The house was to represent the people directly and the senate was to represent the states ( legislators), who in turn represents the people. The framers were clear as to how the senators were to be elected, article 1 section 3. As a matter of fact, the framers were so intent on states right, they added that the states would have the same authority as the congress when it comes to amending the constitution, read article 5. The 17th amendment absolutely must be repealed. Honestly, what is the purpose of having a senate? Why not just the house of representatives? Why have a bicameral congress if both of them represents the people directly? Why have state borders if the legislators of the states can not govern those who elected them without having to bow to the federal government?

Answer 3

The 17th Amendment must NOT be repealed, for it is crucial to our democracy. The Founders made very few mistakes in writing the Constitution, but not including this amendment in the original was a big one.

In response to Bernard Lipat, who wrote:

"The Seventeenth Amendment was ratified during the Era of Progressivism because many were concerned over the controlling of the Senate, the "Millionaire's Club," by the bug businesses and trusts. It gave the power to elect senators to the people, as opposed to the states legislatures. However, it is obvious that Article V. of the Constitution of the United States was not read: the Seventeenth Amendment deprives states, not the people, their right to be represented in Congress, obviously a blow to the idea of federalism. Therefore, the Seventeenth Amendment must be repealed."

Your first point, that this amendment was created to break up the "Millionaires Club," is apt. Until this amendment was created, the legislative branch of government was not under the people's control. And ultimately, that is what the Founders wanted for the United States: a government of, by, and for the People. Because the Senate represents us, the People, they should be answerable directly to us, and the method we have of holding politicians accountable is through the vote.

It is good that you have read Article 5 of the Constitution, but your second point, that Article 5 guarantees states their rights to be represented in Congress, is a misreading of that article. It is people that have rights, not states. States have only privaleges, given to them by the people. As Thomas Paine wrote, "The right of voting for representatives is the primary right by which all other rights are protected. To take away this right is to reduce a man to slavery."

Senators represent we, the People. Even state governments are supposed to represent we, the People. Therefore a state that elects its own Senators without any say from the People is usurping a right from us that it does not have. The 17th Amendment allows us the representation that WE deserve. It should never be repealed.

Answer 4

I definitely like the idea of stronger state goverment, though I would worry that even more money would flow out of lobbying organizations with more importance paid now to hundreds of more state level elections.

I think it's still an idea worth considereing, it might make sense on a higher level too - I'd hope that state politicians have more knowledge and understanding of the political process, and would be able to make that more informed decision. While I think Bush lied and ignored a lot of information, I think as you go higher in the political levels, you are generally more informed.

A subsequent potential of repealing (at least part) of the amendment is that it might hopefully raise the level of political involvement of the average citizen.

Answer 5

It would be a foolhardy move. Our Constitution is probably the most perfect governmental document ever written. It represents the hope and dreams of a people that were tired of tyranny and were moved, by God, to stand against it. The more we tinker with it, the further we could get away from what this nation was meant to be. Some amendments were necessary. However, this amendment establishes the framework by which our elected senators shall be chosen. It is not something to be "repealed".

Answer 6

Just leave the 17th amendment alone just like the Constitution's should have been left alone. Bush shouldn't be allowed to touch anything , take his pen that he don't know what he is signing anyway and throw it in the trash. They should vote to ban Bush from signing or deleting anything these last 2 years. Set him out on the cow less ranch he has and let him worry the hell out of the people of Crawford. Lock the gates where he and Al Capone are visiting, guard with a machine gun and make them stay the rest of the term in splendor as Bush calls it. Get old Laura and Lynn in there with them, just get the whole caboodle and leave them there until March 2008.

Answer 7

who would be crazy enough to repeal it......
just Think we can go to a booth and mark one space on a ballot.
lets be like Canada eh,
total party politics
the repeal of the 17th amendment will be the complete and total loss of our ability to elect a government of the people by the people and leave all decisions to persons so out of touch with the people of our great nation.

Answer 8

It should be repealed immediately, as well as the 16th Amendment. Together, they have given us this bloated money wasting, freedom killing machine known as the United States Government.

Answer 9

Why would you want to repeal the amedment. Without the 17th amendment congress would have no term limits at all I think that would be a bad scenario.

Answer 10

I like the idea of the 17th because it gives the people the power to decide. In this period of party politics, if the state legislature's were choosing, then we would get nothing but party hacks controled by the parties. AT least now they can defect from party ideology for what the want to do or vote for.