The founding fathers designed our federal system of government to be a balancing act. Sovereignty was to rest in the people but it would be expressed through two venues, their individual states and the federal government. The framers of our constitution and the bodies that ratified it were very concerned that the federal government not be able to ride rough-shod over the states. To prevent this they gave the states a say in federal legislation through a Senate of representatives selected by the State Legislatures.

Article I: Section 3 of the Constitution said: “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.”

The House of Representative would represent the people, while the Senate would represent the interests of the states—the other organ of popular sovereignty. The more populous states, able to swing the House would not be able to run over the others. The House would be reelected every two years giving the people a chance to make quick changes, but the Senate would be in place for six years, representing the states and putting the breaks on an expansive federal government.

In today’s Congress, LA County and New York City have more representation in the House than the combined states of Alaska, Delaware, Hawaii, Idaho, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Maine, Montana, Rhode Island, Utah, Vermont, West Virginia, Wyoming and both Dakotas. The founders knew this would be a problem because the larger states could dictate to the smaller and since the 17th Amendment this is exactly what has happened. States with larger populations have been able to pass laws based on the interests of their own people, while the smaller states have had no way to fight these efforts—in effect being without representation.

The only hope for the continued freedom of the people of this country is to reign in the federal government. It was not meant to rule the states but to represent them and the people. The preamble to the Constitution tells us the purpose of the federal government:

• To form a more perfect Union
• To establish justice
• To insure domestic tranquility
• To provide for the common defense
• To promote the general welfare
• To secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity

Under the articles of Confederation the United States was the laughing stock of nations. Each state looked after its own interests and saw the other states as competitors on the world stage. By forming this new Union the states would be able to work together as a body seeking the good of all. The states were not to be dissolved into the federal government, but were to be defended, promoted, equalized and empowered through it. The people would speak directly to the state legislatures and to the House of Representatives. The decisions of the House would be counter-balanced by the representatives of the states protecting the interests of smaller populations. This is exactly what the founders intended when they framed our Constitution.

Do you want to do away with unfunded mandates and ear-marks, repealing the 17th Amendment is a great step forward.

For more information check out: Repeal 17