Excellent reply. I favor the 17th amendment. As for the Electoral College, I understand that it was favored by the slave states and gave an edge to rural areas. I spent most of my life in rural areas - a great part where nearest neighbors were a mile away. However I'm troubled by the fact that as much as 2 million votes (effectively) weren't counted in the last Presidential election. I'm troubled by the fact that my cousin in Gresham Oregon - a lifetime Republican is infuriated by his belief that by casting a red vote in a blue state means that his vote is effectively (in his opinion) discounted. I'm also troubled by the fact that slavery was allowed in the original constitution and women and those who did not earn property could not vote. I remain proud, however, of the overall strength and resiliency (and adaptability) of our constitution.