General Discussion

raccoon

(31,129 posts) Fri Apr 12, 2019, 11:38 AM Apr 2019

The Senate allows low-population states to be disproportionately represented, as has been discussed

here. Wyoming has 2 Senators, same as high-population California.

For the moment, put aside how difficult it would be to change this. What would it take, a Constitutional amendment?

6 replies

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Highlight:

The Senate allows low-population states to be disproportionately represented, as has been discussed (Original Post) raccoon Apr 2019 OP

Yes, it would take a Constitutional amendment. MineralMan Apr 2019 #1

The Republicants actually want to abolish the 17th Amendment A DAY IN THE LIFE Apr 2019 #4

Yes, you would have to amend the constitution A DAY IN THE LIFE Apr 2019 #2

If we had representative government, cons would never be in power ever again Eliot Rosewater Apr 2019 #3

The Constitution, not the Senate, requires it. mobeau69 Apr 2019 #5

Reallly, more than just an amendment zipplewrath Apr 2019 #6

MineralMan

(146,339 posts)

1. Yes, it would take a Constitutional amendment.

Reply to raccoon (Original post)

Fri Apr 12, 2019, 11:41 AM

Apr 2019

Which would never happen. Guess why...

A DAY IN THE LIFE

(88 posts)

4. The Republicants actually want to abolish the 17th Amendment

Reply to MineralMan (Reply #1)

Fri Apr 12, 2019, 11:45 AM

Apr 2019

And return to state legislatures selecting their senators. I wonder why?

A DAY IN THE LIFE

(88 posts)

2. Yes, you would have to amend the constitution

Reply to raccoon (Original post)

Fri Apr 12, 2019, 11:43 AM

Apr 2019

Just like when they changed selection of senators from chosen by governors/state legislatures to direct election.

Eliot Rosewater

(31,131 posts)

3. If we had representative government, cons would never be in power ever again

Reply to raccoon (Original post)

Fri Apr 12, 2019, 11:45 AM

Apr 2019

mobeau69

(11,163 posts)

5. The Constitution, not the Senate, requires it.

Reply to raccoon (Original post)

Fri Apr 12, 2019, 11:47 AM

Apr 2019

The provision is know as The Great Compromise (aka The Connecticut Compromise).

zipplewrath

(16,646 posts)

6. Reallly, more than just an amendment

Reply to raccoon (Original post)

Fri Apr 12, 2019, 02:01 PM

Apr 2019

The constitution specifically exempts this from the amendment process. Every single state would have to agree to the change.

It is the fatal flaw.

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