Joe Sanfelippo sounds off on 'popularity contests'

As quoted in Wisconsin lawmaker calls for appointment of DPI superintendent.  (Wisconsin Watchdog, 9/14/2015)

Hey, Joe!  What say you about the 17th Amendment?   Are you for or against the direct election of U.S. Senators?

Related reading:
States’ Wrongs. Conservatives’ illogical, inconsistent effort to repeal the 17th Amendment.  (Slate, 2/27/2014)

Hard-right figures across the country, from Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) to Georgia Senate candidate Rep. Paul Broun to a steady drumbeat of state officials, have now called for repealing the amendment and giving the power to select senators back to the state legislatures.

Rethinking the 17th Amendment:  An Old Idea Gets Fresh Opposition.  (NPR, 2/5/2014)

"There's no doubt that was a major step toward the explosion of federal power and the undermining of the authority of the states," Texas GOP Sen. Ted Cruz said at a summit of the American Legislative Exchange Council, a conservative group of state legislators and businesses, back in December.

ALEC Floats Legislation Chipping Away at 17th Amendment.  (Huffington Post, 11/15/2013)

The bill would significantly increase the role of the state legislature in the election of U.S. senators, inching back toward the process used prior to the passage of the 17th Amendment in 1913. The 17th Amendment established the direct election of U.S. senators. Before this amendment, senators were chosen by state legislators.