A writer with the Washington Post, George Will discusses in his column Wisconsin Senator Russ Feingold’s disapproval of the 17th Amendment. This amendment says that when Senate vacancies occur the executive authority of the affected state shall issue writs of election to fill such vacancies to make temporary appointments until the people fill the vacancies by election as the legislature may direct. Feingold’s repeal reads “No person shall be a Senator from a State unless such person has been elected by the people thereof. When vacancies happen in the representation of any State in the Senate, the executive authority of such state shall issue writs of election to fill such vacancies.” He has said, of late, that he thinks some governors have wrongfully appointed people to U.S. Senate vacancies, an “immense” threat to the public well-being. His repeal to the 17th Amendment would make the Senate as “responsive to the people as possible.” The purpose of The Senate is to be deliberative, not responsive. The 17th Amendment serves to ground the Senate in the state legislatures giving states the power to resist administrative extensions of the federal government. The Framers (of The Constitution) gave the three political components of the federal government different electors to reinforce the principle of separation of powers. Feingold speaks to slander federalism and nudge the Senate from the functions our Forefathers intended.
George Will intends make evident to the American people the Senators intentions. His audience, I think, is a conservative base.
