[Senators] are our the direct representatives.What is the good in calling to voice an opinion, especially so overwhelmingly, when it will just be ignored?

I actually take Burke's side on such matters.

Your representative owes you, not his industry only, but his judgment; and he betrays, instead of serving you, if he sacrifices it to your opinion.

I actually think Feinstein's position is wrong, but if it is her opinion that the country needs the bill, then she should vote for it. She shouldn't have to vote against what she believes is good policy just because the people back home think she should. They elected her because they thought she had the ability to do her job; they should now let her do it. Of course, this doesn't mean that our representatives should completely ignore public opinion, but they shouldn't bend to it either.

I have a feeling you would see this point if the issue were, say, price controls on gasoline.

Doug makes a good point regarding a Senator's judgement. If that Senator wishes to be re-elected however, going against 93% of his/her constitutents is pretty poor judgement. So, Feinstein (and Chambliss, and Isakson) have exercised their right as Senators to ignore the wishes of their constitutencies and relied on their own personal judgement to back this communist legislation. It is now up to us as voters to exercise OUR judgement with regard to the re-election of as many of these weasels as currently stand for election. It is my sincere hope that we will send them all packing for home.

Party loyalists, take heed: if you vote for Chambliss, you are voting for Republicanism in name only: the man is no Republican. Buckley for Senate in 2008!

The power to appoint Senators should be returned to state legislatures.
Until the ratification of the 17th amendment in 1913, a Senator who forgot that his job was to serve the people of his home state could be removed from office by state legislature and a loyal servant of the people seated in their place.
Chambliss and Isakson should be brought home today and booted out of office.
If there is any merit in their decision to vote for the bankster bail-out over the will of the people , I'd like to see it in print.
It should be apparent to anyone interested wherein our two US Senators interests lie and it isn't with the people.
Let's at least get Chambliss gone in Nov.
A vote for Buckley will not be wasted.

http://repealthe17thamendment.blogspot.com/2008/05/judge-napolitano-nation-of-sheep.html

The power to appoint Senators should be returned to state legislatures.

Bad idea? Or worst idea ever?

A vote for Buckley will not be wasted.

And he wouldn't even be running for Senate if (see your first idea).

csun is absolutely correct about what should be done with regard to senatorial selection. The provision that called for Senators to be chosen by the state legislatures was a key check-and-balance in the original Constitution - one that guaranteed that the States would have a voice at the Federal level. Since the passage of the 17th amendment, Senators have been loyal only to the concept of constantly increasing the power and influence of the Federal government and, by extension, the Senate. Were it not for the 17th amendment it would be extremely difficult to get the Senate to pass legislation that places, for example, unfunded mandates upon the States. If you wonder about how we arrived at a system - one not contemplated by our founders - that has such a concentration of power at the Federal level, to the point of usurping the Constitutional powers reserved to the States and/or the people - it has everything to do with the 17th Amendment and with popular election of Senators. So, no, not a bad idea, and far from the worst ever. If we truly understand federalism and the balance of power necessary to ensure its survival, we would all support the repeal of the 17th Amendment.

The 17th Amendment should be repealed. I completely agree with that.

If Washington wasn't a big enough circle jerk already, let's let Glenn richardson decide who represents us.

If the people have no voice in Washington then a totalitarian state exists.
If our leaders do not listen to what the overwhelming majority of the public want, then our system has failed. Remember we are a government of the people, by the people, and for the people. Don't be mistaken when the "pork" projects entered the picture with this proposal then the Senators went with the money. Follow where that extra money is going and you will find the answer to why they voted the way they did. When the leaders get a taste for money they want even more.
The problem is that the average citizen has come very close to the breaking point with all the extra charges, fees, taxes, and unseen taxes put on everything we buy. It has come down to this: Either we survive as the nation our forefathers wanted or we go the way of other civilizations that lost their way and are no more.
The Doctor

Anyone but Shameless.....I mean anyone.
I think Barney Frank would be better for Ga. and his picture is on the three dollar bill.
That says just how bad Shameless is.
Don Henderson