During the period that the Federal Reserve Act was passed, so too was the 16th and17th Amendment to the Constitution. Of course, many people tend to realize thatthe 16th Amendment (Progressive Income Tax) and the Federal Reserve Act have notbeen in the best interest of the People, but few realize that the 17th Amendmenthas caused major damage to this former Constitutional Republic.Section 3 of the Constitution states:"The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two Senators from eachstate, chosen by the legislature thereof, for six years; and each Senator shallhave 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 theSenators 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 the third class atthe expiration of the sixth year, so that one third may be chosen every secondyear; and if vacancies happen by resignation, or otherwise, during the recess ofthe legislature of any state, the executive thereof may make temporaryappointments until the next meeting of the legislature, which shall then fill suchvacancies."Now, there was a very good reason why the Founding Fathers placed the Senatorsoutside the direct electoral process and placed them within a framework ofindirect elections. By doing this, the Founders knew that they were placing yetanother level of checks and balances over the government. They sought to keep thebalance of power between the State Republics and the federal branches of theExecutive, Legislature and Judicial. In fact, they wanted to be sure that theRights and Interests of the State Republics were maintained while keeping a veryclose eye on the federal branches. They also wanted the Senate to be comprised ofmen who were mature, possessing a higher degree of experience and wisdom thenthose directly elected to the House of Representatives.The Senate was to be insolated from influences of direct politics, financialcorruption and whims of the public. Senators were to answer indirectly to thePeople through their respective State Legislatures. It really was a stroke ofabsolute genius; too bad the same corrupt officials that brought us the FederalReserve Act and Progressive Income Tax eliminated this extremely valuable check onpower and abuse.In 1787, John Dickerson, delegate to the Constitutional Convention from the Stateof Delaware spoke about the power of this vital check on governmental power: " Thepreservation of the States in a certain degree of agency is indispensable, it willproduce the collision between the different authorities that should be wished forin order to check each other."The Senate, appointed by the respective State Legislatures, also provided a verystrong barrier to potential mistakes made by the Citizens of each State Republic.James Madison in the Federalist #63, said that indirect elections would be a"defense to the people against their own temporary errors and delusions and wouldblend stability with Liberty."The Power and Rights of the State Republics, through the direction and guidance ofeach State Legislature, would be the only influence on their respective Senators.The Senate would dutifully represent the best interest of the State Republics andtherefore, the Citizens of each State. It was, to say the least, an ideal programto maintain the balance of power and curtail potential usurpations of the federalgovernment over the States and their People.
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