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by Rod D. Martin
October 12, 2018
Fun fact: if the 17th Amendment were repealed, it would radically change the composition of the Senate. Here’s why, and how.
The 17th gave us direct election of Senators. Previously (as in, from 1788 to 1912, which is to say, the way the Founding Fathers designed it), the state legislatures picked Senators. The idea was that the House of Representatives would directly represent the interests of the people, while the Senate would represent the interests of the sovereign states (and thus federalism, and thus block unconstitutional centralization and taxes). If the two could agree, than something should happen; if they couldn’t, it probably shouldn’t.
Just as so-called “progressives” pushed for the abolition of this system, they are now calling for the abolition of the Electoral College (which would result in a handful of coastal cities — and all their illegal aliens and big-city machines –determining the outcome of every Presidential election, of course). And they benefitted from the change. A lot.
How much? Well, let’s take a look.
Currently, Republicans have 51 out of 100 U.S. Senators (hardly any of whom represent the interests of federalism, needless to say). But if state legislatures picked Senators again, here are the numbers. There are currently 32 Republican-controlled state legislatures, 14 Democrat, and 4 divided (one party controls one house, the other controls the other). So assuming that the latter four were to pick one Senator from each party, there would be a whopping 68 GOP Senators, vs. 32 Democrats (not even two thirds).
That’s a more than 2/3 majority: enough to convict impeached officials, enough to amend the Constitution, enough to confirm anyone or pass…anything. Not in the House: that would still be a huge limiter. But the difference is extraordinary. And it also makes state elections vastly more important, resulting in vastly more civic involvement at the local and state levels, a positive good for everyone.
Oh, and interestingly enough? Bernie Sanders would not be a Senator at all.
— If the 17th Amendment Were Repealed originally appeared as a Facebook post by Rod D. Martin.
Rod is one of our nation’s leading minds. He’s smart, original, and very committed—a combination that one rarely finds.
Rod Martin and [former Howard Dean campaign manager] Joe Trippi are America’s two foremost experts on online politics.
Rod Martin is a Reaganite-Thatcherite conservative…[and] a man who has spent much of his life ministering to and working for the benefit of others. I know Rod as an advocate for freedom, a leader who understands the real changes we need in Washington, and who has the drive and ability to make those changes happen.
Rod Martin is the kind of dynamic leader who has the knowledge, ability and experience to lead us successfully into the 21st Century. His vision for America is compelling.
Rod Martin literally wrote the book on excellence. Humble yet brilliant, a man of love and compassion, with penetrating clarity he illuminates the world around us, and we are both stirred and enlightened.
Rod Martin is a born leader and an outstanding political mind. Anyone who takes him on is going to have a serious fight on their hands.
Rod Martin is a man of uncommon vision and character. Ever since I first worked alongside Rod in the early days of PayPal, I’ve been struck by his powerful vision for the future. Rod understands the intersection of technology, politics and culture in a way that few others do.
Rod Martin wears with uncommon grace an uncanny ability to link his vigorous faith to the practical challenges of both the business world and the political arena. Yet the respect he shows for others carries a warmth and modesty that are both too rare among those who are strong advocates of feisty positions.
America badly needs more leaders who really get the future. We need more Rod Martins.
Rod Martin is a modern day philosopher-statesman. He is a capitalist intellectual, a conservative iconoclast, a gentle adversary and a kind prophet. He inspires us towards a fresh national vision built upon the original founding principles.
Rod Martin is not only effective and efficient, but he is also perceptive, wise and gracious. He gets things done. He is a great friend and a great ally.
Rod is one of the sharpest, most gracious men I know, and one of the most gifted political thinkers today. His ability to analyze issues and communicate thoughtful insights on them have earned him the respect of people across the political spectrum.
I am proud to have been Rod Martin’s friend for a quarter century, and I can tell you that he is one of the finest men and most outstanding leaders in our church and in our country today. He has a knack for turning everything he touches to success.
Rod Martin is a cornucopian entrepreneur and eutropic thinker whose influence radiates through an array of companies, institutions, movements and churches. A renaissance American, he is also a prolific friend of freedom and faith around the globe.
If Rod Martin represents the next generation of leaders, America has nothing to worry about.
A leader and a servant, in public life and in private, Rod Martin strides at the top of his profession, and has nowhere to go but up. He is in the truest sense of the word ‘outstanding’.
Rod Martin is undoubtedly one of the most accomplished thought leaders today. He is a wonderful mentor, a humble role model, and a deep inspiration for the next generation of scientific innovators and entrepreneurs.
Rod’s achievements pale beside his character and his brilliance. He sees what others can’t. He leads when others won’t.
Rod Martin is one of America’s finest young minds.
