The 17th Amendment Does More Damage to America

January 11, 2009 Democrat Corruption, Opinion, Stupidity, US Senate, United States Constitution View Comments

Have you ever considered that the mess created by Blago the Corrupt with his appointment of Roland Burris could have been avoided had the powers that were when the 17th Amendment was adopted not permanently damaged our nation with its adoption? According to Article I Section 3 of the United States Constitution as originally adopted…

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.

Immediately after they shall be assembled in Consequence of the first Election, they shall be divided as equally as may be into three Classes. The Seats of the Senators of the first Class shall be vacated at the Expiration of the second Year, of the second Class at the Expiration of the fourth Year, and of the third Class at the Expiration of the sixth Year, so that one third may be chosen every second Year; and if Vacancies happen by Resignation, or otherwise, during the Recess of the Legislature of any State, the Executive thereof may make temporary Appointments until the next Meeting of the Legislature, which shall then fill such Vacancies.

Since the Illinois state Legislature is in session full-time, the appointment of Burris would not have happened. The Illinois House (which is in session now) and Senate (which enters session next Wednesday) would have made an appointment and that person, with the signature of the sitting governor and Secretary of State would assume the vacated seat.

I maintain, that it was the adoption of the 17th Amendment which facilitated the scandal surrounding the attempted sale of the vacated seat. If not for the 17th, Blago would not have had a seat to sell. If not for the 17th, the Illinois House and Senate would have already made the appointment (prior to the December recess) and it would not be dominating the national news.

I also maintain, that the adoption of the 17th Amendment abdicated power from the states. The US Senate is no longer answerable to the states thanks to the 17th. The founders not only were concerned that no one branch of the federal government have too much power – checks and balances – they intended there to be a check on the federal government by making the Senate answerable to the people’s representatives in the state legislatures. This is the reason why a Senator sits for a full 6 years and a Representative only 2.

In the leftist turn of this nation, those who wrongly believe that the United States is a democracy took steps to create one by advocating and ultimately winning adoption of a popular vote for United States Senator in 1913. This was something that was obviously rejected by the founding fathers. It has taken nearly 100 years for this error in our history to bite us in the arse, but it has.

Not only are Blago’s actions a product of the Chicago Democrat Machine, but facilitated by the 17th Amendment. And we have 1913 politics to thank.

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