The senator complained that some of his constituents have attempted to “intimidate” him by saying they would oppose his re-election if he voted for the bill.

“You do not intimidate George Voinovich,” he said. “During my 40 years in this business, I have always looked at the pros and cons of each piece of legislation and made a determination. If people don’t like my decision, they can express their will during the next election.”

I happened to listen to Sean Hannity’s radio show while madly rushing home to move my sailboat trailer out of the dry sail area before the Hill Country floods swept it away. For the first time ever, I thought that Hannity did a good job cross-examining a guest. Hannity was interviewing Sen. George Voinovich, who it appears, supports the ridiculous amnesty bill.

Despite the fact that the man can’t answer the simplest questions about the bill, he condescends to his constituency and snivels about intimidation. Though he claims HE can’t be intimidated—he cowardly runs away from Hannity’s persistent—though reasonable—questions.

World Net Daily has the whole story complete with sound clips. You have got to listen to it.

Voinovich’s disrespect for his constituents reinforces my opinion that the 17th amendment should be repealed and selection of U.S. Senators placed back on the State Legislatures. Direct election dilutes the power of the electorate over Senators—especially in the face of six year terms. For instance, Voinivich is not up for reelection until 2010. By then, the damage will be wrought.

Tom Dilorenzo wrote a wonderful column in support of repealing the 17th Amendment. He describes how it used to work:

State legislatures did not hesitate to instruct U.S. senators on how to vote. In fact, the very first instruction that was given to them was to meet in public! The Virginia and Kentucky Resolves of 1798 (see William Watkins, Reclaiming the American Revolution) were the work of state legislatures that instructed their senators to oppose the Sedition Act, which essentially made it illegal to criticize the federal government.

State legislatures were instrumental in Andrew Jackson’s famous battle with the Bank of the United States (BUS), which ended with the Bank being de-funded and replaced by the Independent Treasury System and the era of “free banking” (1842–1862). State legislatures throughout the U.S. instructed their senators to oppose the BUS in the senate. Senator Pelog Sprague of Maine was forced to resign in 1835 after ignoring his legislature’s instructions to vote against the Bank. The U.S. Senate voted to censure President Andrew Jackson for opposing the BUS, but the states responded by forcing seven other senators to resign for taking part in that vote. (It seems that it’s not only twenty-first century Republicans who run for office by calling Washington, D.C. a cesspool, and then thinking of it as more like a hot tub once they get there).

I’ve been hearing stories about how the U.S. Senators have been turning off their fax machines and telephones in the face of overwhelming constituent protest of the amnesty bill. If State Legislatures could kick these overweening, high-hatted fops out on their duffs, do you think they would be forcing this bill down our throats? Your State Legislator is up for reelection a lot sooner than a Voinovich—and I doubt that he or she would be able to ignore constituents—considering that he or she lives there right in the neighborhood instead of Washington.

The U.S. Senate is filled with would-be potentates who are really nincompoops needing to be taken down a peg or two. A diffuse electorate can’t really do that. A State Legislature could take a Senator to the woodshed for a little dose of humility.

Voinovich should be first in line. McCain should be second.