The analogy is say you have a large cooperation like Apple or Microsoft and they need to hire a new CEO or CFO. Would it be better to have the board of directors and the upper level management hire him/her, or let the employees, including the janitors, choose in a runoff election?
It is better to let the upper tier management choose because they have access to insider knowledge about the state of the company union and its future goals. This is what they do for a living, and their job is to add to value to the team. The rank and file are part timers, with respect to insider information. They may hear rumors and gossip and would pick for different reasons.
Lack of insider information means they may pick more based on personality, than needed ability. Or they may pick based on which CEO candidate promises then the most freebies, even if this adversely impacts the company's future. The rank and file, who are not sure, can be manipulated to vote like trained seals. Voting can become a way to be part of the hip crowd as well as a way to avoid being bullied like the Democrats do with Trump voters. It makes more sense that people in the know, who do this for a living, who are well informed, will make the best decision. Ask any company to let the employees chose their CEO.
The 17th amendment; election of Senators, was done in conjunction with the Amendment that added an income tax. Since Government was about to screw everyone via income taxes, to avoid the outcry, they threw the citizens a bone, allowing them to elect the Senators. These two were connected and should be treated together. The election of Senators by the citizens was based on the hope their chosen person, would look out for their best monetary interests.
The real question should be, should we get rid of both the income tax and the way we elect Senators? Without the income tax, Senator candidates can't play con man Santa Claus to buy votes. We would need better decision makers, who would elect Senators who can work and lead under spartan conditions. You nee insiders knowledge to make this work.
Consider Senator Warren from Massachusetts,where I currently live. She is promising voters to spend a large share of federal tax revenue on free education and free everything. How many will vote based on these promise of freebies? This is not practical so she will never have to deliver, but can blame someone else. She would never have been elected by her peers in the Mass Legislature, since she is a self serving con artist with little practical skill beyond self promotion. If we took away the income tax, too, she is exposed as the freud that she is. I would be better for all.
for themselves today, GOPutin Martyrs.