Our amazing Founding Fathers understood the nature of checks and balances.
The House was supposed to represent the People.
The Senate was supposed to represent the States.
The Presidency was the third leg of the triangle.
When the 17th Amendment passed, it meant Senators were voted in by the People, and the States lost their rights.
This was one of the main reasons the Federal Gov't was able to grow into the monstrosity it is today.
Repeal the 17th, and a lot of DC's dirtbaggery no longer becomes possible.
I would pike the Representative's pay to come from the States as well. That way they are beholden to the State and not the Fed.
I actually hadn't thought of this angle. I need to check to see if that's accurate, but it does make a bit of sense.
I should also note that these days a Senator's salary is a small slice of their overall compensation. The grift is much more lucrative.