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Amendment Seventeen: A Blessing? Or a Curse?
Our thoroughly educated and distinguished founding fathers spent more time on the careful construction of our Senate than on any other topic. They wanted it to be populated with the highest and best humanity had to offer. So, they concluded, by a vote of 10 to 0, that such a Senate could best be achieved by assigning State legislatures the chore of selecting them; not the public at large who were already given the House of Representatives.
They would no doubt be biased in this regard, but if the founders could be resurrected long enough to survey how we managed the well-considered legacy they gave us in 1787, and how Amendment Seventeen (A17) impacted that legacy, they would be horrified. "What were you thinking?" they would likely ask as they discovered our slowly deteriorating condition, "We intended for you to have a republic, not the popular democratic spectacle of turbulence and contention demonstrated by the ancient record."
Now that we've had more than a hundred years of experience with (A17) and its revised, 1913 formula for popular Senate elections, we should be able to parse the available evidence on the before and after 1913, were we interested enough to do so, in order to determine whether or not A17 was a net good thing for us, or a bad thing; whether or not it was a Blessing for the United States, or a Curse.
They would no doubt be biased in this regard, but if the founders could be resurrected long enough to survey how we managed the well-considered legacy they gave us in 1787, and how Amendment Seventeen (A17) impacted that legacy, they would be horrified. "What were you thinking?" they would likely ask as they discovered our slowly deteriorating condition, "We intended for you to have a republic, not the popular democratic spectacle of turbulence and contention demonstrated by the ancient record."
Now that we've had more than a hundred years of experience with (A17) and its revised, 1913 formula for popular Senate elections, we should be able to parse the available evidence on the before and after 1913, were we interested enough to do so, in order to determine whether or not A17 was a net good thing for us, or a bad thing; whether or not it was a Blessing for the United States, or a Curse.
348 pages, Paperback
Published September 2, 2020
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February 14, 2021
‘Our mountain of debt gives mute testimony to that disorder – A17’ – Poignant reflections
New Hampshire author Michael James Geanoulis, Sr earned his degree in electronics technology from DeVry Technical University and in business form Southern New Hampshire University and has served as an electronics field engineer on nuclear submarines for the US Navy and on automatic sorting machines for the US Postal Service. His commitment to social issues includes serving on commissions for Child Support, Domestic Violence, Family Law, and the Status of Men.
As the political pot boils in this year of government changes (inauguration, insurrection, radical protests, challenged elections, etc), too few truly understand the US Constitution and the founding fathers intentions for a government that actually worked! Enter Michael Geanoulis, who at age 83 provides one of the most compleat dissertations on the constitution and amendments. His knowledge is well researched and delivered in a manner that suggests his original nidus for study – discussions with his Men’s Coffee club in New Castle, New Hampshire – and it is this down to earth interchange of ideas that make his book so accessible – and relevant.
The springboard for addressing our current political climate is The Seventeenth Amendment –popular election of senators – that changed the balance of power between the federal government and the states. ‘The only constitutional amendment to do so in a substantial way is the Seventeenth Amendment, which removed from state legislature the power to choose US Senators and gave that power directly to voters in each state.’ Or as Amendment 17 states - ‘The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two Senators from each state, elected by the people thereof, for six years; and each Senator shall have one vote. The electors in each state shall have the qualifications requisite of the most numerous branch of the state legislatures.’ The author quotes James Madison, Federalist #63: ‘So, there are particular moments in public affairs, when people, stimulated by some irregular passion, or some illicit advantage, or misled by artful misrepresentation of interested men, may call for measures they themselves will afterwards be the most ready to lament and condemn.’
In addition to a thorough discussion of the 17th Amendment, Michael reinforces our knowledge of the Constitution itself, with comments such as the following: ‘In 1787, we were given three branches of government by the Constitutional Convention: Administrative Branch (the President and his minions who would administer the laws passed by the legislature); the Legislative Branch (to enact laws. It consisted of two houses; a lower or House of Representatives whose members were elected directly by the people, and an upper house or Senate whose members were controlled by State legislatures); the Supreme Court (charged with supporting and defending the US Constitution by adjudicating relevant petitions. Its members are chosen by the President). The concept of Federalism, or power sharing, was designed to delegate certain specific powers to the central government of the United States, to the States and to its people respectively.’
No matter the political bent of the reader, this excellent book informs, and whether the author’s opinion registers or not, at least he allows us to become more intelligent about the laws of the land. As for Michael’s input, ‘‘Hard realities need to be told, especially those that contribute to what I honestly consider dangerous, both to our republic, and to our families and progeny if left untreated. Some of these conversations probed the 19th century differences between Progressivism (with its previous cousins: socialism, egalitarianism, populism, Marxism, communism and etcetera); and capitalism, (with its so-called “robber barons,” slave wages, boom/bust cycles, periodic unemployment, bank panics and extreme poverty) altogether challenging during a 19th century industrialist America replete with extremes in both poverty and wealth.’
This book serves as a very instructive session from which to revisit the Constitution and consider our current government status – and future.
New Hampshire author Michael James Geanoulis, Sr earned his degree in electronics technology from DeVry Technical University and in business form Southern New Hampshire University and has served as an electronics field engineer on nuclear submarines for the US Navy and on automatic sorting machines for the US Postal Service. His commitment to social issues includes serving on commissions for Child Support, Domestic Violence, Family Law, and the Status of Men.
As the political pot boils in this year of government changes (inauguration, insurrection, radical protests, challenged elections, etc), too few truly understand the US Constitution and the founding fathers intentions for a government that actually worked! Enter Michael Geanoulis, who at age 83 provides one of the most compleat dissertations on the constitution and amendments. His knowledge is well researched and delivered in a manner that suggests his original nidus for study – discussions with his Men’s Coffee club in New Castle, New Hampshire – and it is this down to earth interchange of ideas that make his book so accessible – and relevant.
The springboard for addressing our current political climate is The Seventeenth Amendment –popular election of senators – that changed the balance of power between the federal government and the states. ‘The only constitutional amendment to do so in a substantial way is the Seventeenth Amendment, which removed from state legislature the power to choose US Senators and gave that power directly to voters in each state.’ Or as Amendment 17 states - ‘The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two Senators from each state, elected by the people thereof, for six years; and each Senator shall have one vote. The electors in each state shall have the qualifications requisite of the most numerous branch of the state legislatures.’ The author quotes James Madison, Federalist #63: ‘So, there are particular moments in public affairs, when people, stimulated by some irregular passion, or some illicit advantage, or misled by artful misrepresentation of interested men, may call for measures they themselves will afterwards be the most ready to lament and condemn.’
In addition to a thorough discussion of the 17th Amendment, Michael reinforces our knowledge of the Constitution itself, with comments such as the following: ‘In 1787, we were given three branches of government by the Constitutional Convention: Administrative Branch (the President and his minions who would administer the laws passed by the legislature); the Legislative Branch (to enact laws. It consisted of two houses; a lower or House of Representatives whose members were elected directly by the people, and an upper house or Senate whose members were controlled by State legislatures); the Supreme Court (charged with supporting and defending the US Constitution by adjudicating relevant petitions. Its members are chosen by the President). The concept of Federalism, or power sharing, was designed to delegate certain specific powers to the central government of the United States, to the States and to its people respectively.’
No matter the political bent of the reader, this excellent book informs, and whether the author’s opinion registers or not, at least he allows us to become more intelligent about the laws of the land. As for Michael’s input, ‘‘Hard realities need to be told, especially those that contribute to what I honestly consider dangerous, both to our republic, and to our families and progeny if left untreated. Some of these conversations probed the 19th century differences between Progressivism (with its previous cousins: socialism, egalitarianism, populism, Marxism, communism and etcetera); and capitalism, (with its so-called “robber barons,” slave wages, boom/bust cycles, periodic unemployment, bank panics and extreme poverty) altogether challenging during a 19th century industrialist America replete with extremes in both poverty and wealth.’
This book serves as a very instructive session from which to revisit the Constitution and consider our current government status – and future.
February 26, 2021
Clear and Compelling! A cautionary tale that sounds an alarm and calls us to better understand our Constitution!
Michael James Geanoulis, Sr., former electronic field engineer for both the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Postal Service, and self-taught student of history, social issues, and economics is also a dedicated public servant. Over the course of thirty years, he has served on New Hampshire state task forces and commissions focused on issues pertaining to child support, domestic violence, family law, and the status of men. In Amendment 17: A Blessing? Or a Curse? Geanoulis applies his experiences on these commissions and his engineering mind to examine the reasons behind out of control national debt levels and continued issues of poverty in the United States. In his research, he noticed the correlation between national debt levels and the passing of the 17th Amendment in 1913. This amendment was responsible for making Senators directly elected by the people, rather than election by State Legislatures as originally structured by the founders who wrote the Constitution.
Geanoulis invites the reader to a thoughtful consideration of the original structure of the Constitution and the carefully considered intention of the founders in deciding upon that structure. He pulls us all the way back to their debates regarding how best to structure the Senate and the factors which influenced the pre-Amendment 17 rules regarding the election of the Senate. He pays detailed attention to the voices which advocated for and defended against the need to amend the Constitution, quoting speeches which most of us have never read or even heard about. At the same time, Geanoulis elaborates on other political and social forces, including the rising popularity of Progressive ideas and Marxist-socialist values at the turn of the 20th century, which quite possibly influenced the eventual enactment of Amendment 17. Geanoulis shows how the passing of Amendment 17 upset the balance of power and minimized the influence of the States at the Federal level, directly paving the way for increasing national debt and a host of ills which continue to plague our country.
As a casual student of history with a passing interest in government, this book made me pay more attention to an amendment which I’d never thought about, and also made me wonder what unintended effects other constitutional amendments may have had on our society. Amendment 17: A Blessing? Or a Curse? is a cautionary tale which sounds an alarm, deftly demonstrating that changes to the Constitution shouldn’t be undertaken lightly, because the consequences may be worse than the problems needing to be solved! Geanoulis is a patient teacher, spelling out the connections between the forces of Progressivism, Amendment 17, current national debt levels, and persistent poverty issues. Whether a reader is already interested in government, social issues, and politics, or simply longs to understand our government more deeply, this is an enlightening work. Amidst the chaos of our current political scene, Amendment 17 is a clear and compelling must-read! Highly recommend!
Michael James Geanoulis, Sr., former electronic field engineer for both the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Postal Service, and self-taught student of history, social issues, and economics is also a dedicated public servant. Over the course of thirty years, he has served on New Hampshire state task forces and commissions focused on issues pertaining to child support, domestic violence, family law, and the status of men. In Amendment 17: A Blessing? Or a Curse? Geanoulis applies his experiences on these commissions and his engineering mind to examine the reasons behind out of control national debt levels and continued issues of poverty in the United States. In his research, he noticed the correlation between national debt levels and the passing of the 17th Amendment in 1913. This amendment was responsible for making Senators directly elected by the people, rather than election by State Legislatures as originally structured by the founders who wrote the Constitution.
Geanoulis invites the reader to a thoughtful consideration of the original structure of the Constitution and the carefully considered intention of the founders in deciding upon that structure. He pulls us all the way back to their debates regarding how best to structure the Senate and the factors which influenced the pre-Amendment 17 rules regarding the election of the Senate. He pays detailed attention to the voices which advocated for and defended against the need to amend the Constitution, quoting speeches which most of us have never read or even heard about. At the same time, Geanoulis elaborates on other political and social forces, including the rising popularity of Progressive ideas and Marxist-socialist values at the turn of the 20th century, which quite possibly influenced the eventual enactment of Amendment 17. Geanoulis shows how the passing of Amendment 17 upset the balance of power and minimized the influence of the States at the Federal level, directly paving the way for increasing national debt and a host of ills which continue to plague our country.
As a casual student of history with a passing interest in government, this book made me pay more attention to an amendment which I’d never thought about, and also made me wonder what unintended effects other constitutional amendments may have had on our society. Amendment 17: A Blessing? Or a Curse? is a cautionary tale which sounds an alarm, deftly demonstrating that changes to the Constitution shouldn’t be undertaken lightly, because the consequences may be worse than the problems needing to be solved! Geanoulis is a patient teacher, spelling out the connections between the forces of Progressivism, Amendment 17, current national debt levels, and persistent poverty issues. Whether a reader is already interested in government, social issues, and politics, or simply longs to understand our government more deeply, this is an enlightening work. Amidst the chaos of our current political scene, Amendment 17 is a clear and compelling must-read! Highly recommend!
March 17, 2021
"Amendment Seventeen: A Blessing or a Curse", by Sr. Michael James Geanoulis, is a thought-provoking deep dive into the Seventeenth Amendment of the US Constitution. In the beginning it was designed with good intentions by our forefathers, but has it achieved the desired effect? The author explores A17 and associated issues with knowledge, insight, and candor, helping us to better understand its impact, and success, or lack of it. This lengthy foray feels like a quicker read than it actually is, thanks to the breezy, personable style of the author. Students, aspiring politicians, political historians, and general public alike will find lots to glean from this informative work. Too few people have interest in politics or history today, and most couldn't tell you what the 17th Amendment is if a million dollar prize in a TV game show rested on it, but Geanoulis makes learning fun, and by the time you get to the end, you'll have a much better understanding of why a discussion around Amendment Seventeen is happening. Politics and history can be a little daunting for some, but the author's approach is on the lighter side.
The first thing I noticed about this absorbing book is the way the author makes everything relatable to the layperson. He makes historical figures seem human and dynamic, not just a name in a history book. This isn't a stuffy book at all. It has basic information that people in the US should know, but most don't. Even those with little or no interest in politics can see how politics affect our everyday lives, and maybe we SHOULD pay closer attention to the Constitution. Though Geanoulis poses the question as to whether the Seventeenth Amendment is a blessing or curse, he doesn't give a straight answer. He leaves it for the reading audience to decide. Also included to help understand the ideas are charts, graphs, and extra notes, making for a thorough resource. I like how the author uses his expertise and experience in other facets of his work and society to analyze things. He clearly knows his subject and is passionate about it. You can't help but learn from this book and appreciate the hard work the author has put into it. His thoughts on debt and poverty are points to ponder, and we get a front row seat to some of those early debates held by our founding fathers. Relevant quotes by historical figures are a nice touch. "Amendment Seventeen: A Blessing or a Curse", by Sr. Michael James Geanoulis, is sure to stir conversation and healthy debate, but more importantly, it teaches us that Amendment Seventeen is worth thinking about.
The first thing I noticed about this absorbing book is the way the author makes everything relatable to the layperson. He makes historical figures seem human and dynamic, not just a name in a history book. This isn't a stuffy book at all. It has basic information that people in the US should know, but most don't. Even those with little or no interest in politics can see how politics affect our everyday lives, and maybe we SHOULD pay closer attention to the Constitution. Though Geanoulis poses the question as to whether the Seventeenth Amendment is a blessing or curse, he doesn't give a straight answer. He leaves it for the reading audience to decide. Also included to help understand the ideas are charts, graphs, and extra notes, making for a thorough resource. I like how the author uses his expertise and experience in other facets of his work and society to analyze things. He clearly knows his subject and is passionate about it. You can't help but learn from this book and appreciate the hard work the author has put into it. His thoughts on debt and poverty are points to ponder, and we get a front row seat to some of those early debates held by our founding fathers. Relevant quotes by historical figures are a nice touch. "Amendment Seventeen: A Blessing or a Curse", by Sr. Michael James Geanoulis, is sure to stir conversation and healthy debate, but more importantly, it teaches us that Amendment Seventeen is worth thinking about.
February 17, 2021
The effects of Amendment 17 on America.
The author Michael James Geanoulis Sr.’s, primary mission in writing this book was to improve understanding about why it was thought there was a need for Amendment Seventeen, and the repercussions of this amendment on the economy and society of America. However, he also ponders what the thoughts of the founding fathers would be if they returned now, and discovered that although it was their intention for America to be a republic, instead it is now a democracy.
In the Constitution, signed on September 17, 1787, Article 1, Section 3. Stated that “The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two Senators from each State, chosen by the Legislature thereof, for six Years; and each Senator shall have one Vote. ... The Senate shall have sole Power to try all Impeachments.”
However Article 17 was amended in 1913, when it was decided to give the people, instead of the state legislature the right to vote for their Senator, in other words, the Senator is chosen by the people.
The author openly admits at the beginning of the book that he hopes for a repel, however he realises that, “Only a low level repair is even remotely likely.” And so, he has laid before you his readers, an incredible amount research carried out through the years, accompanied by studies, documents, letters, graphs, and photographs, so as to enable you to form your own opinion on the subject.
From an early age Michael James Geanoulis Sr.’ has had a keen interest in economics and social issues, and for many years he served on agencies involved with these matters. He holds a degree in electronics technology from DeVry Technical Institute, a business degree from Southern New Hampshire University and is otherwise a self-appointed, self-taught Jack of all Liberal Arts, but master of none. He published his biography ‘The Big Gorge’ in 2018, and lives in historic New Castle, New Hampshire with his wife, Norma, two cats, and three horses.
This is a fascinating and informative book which will appeal to those interested in the political, social, and economic history of America. The question is, what do you think after reading it? Was Amendment 17 a blessing, or a curse?
The author Michael James Geanoulis Sr.’s, primary mission in writing this book was to improve understanding about why it was thought there was a need for Amendment Seventeen, and the repercussions of this amendment on the economy and society of America. However, he also ponders what the thoughts of the founding fathers would be if they returned now, and discovered that although it was their intention for America to be a republic, instead it is now a democracy.
In the Constitution, signed on September 17, 1787, Article 1, Section 3. Stated that “The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two Senators from each State, chosen by the Legislature thereof, for six Years; and each Senator shall have one Vote. ... The Senate shall have sole Power to try all Impeachments.”
However Article 17 was amended in 1913, when it was decided to give the people, instead of the state legislature the right to vote for their Senator, in other words, the Senator is chosen by the people.
The author openly admits at the beginning of the book that he hopes for a repel, however he realises that, “Only a low level repair is even remotely likely.” And so, he has laid before you his readers, an incredible amount research carried out through the years, accompanied by studies, documents, letters, graphs, and photographs, so as to enable you to form your own opinion on the subject.
From an early age Michael James Geanoulis Sr.’ has had a keen interest in economics and social issues, and for many years he served on agencies involved with these matters. He holds a degree in electronics technology from DeVry Technical Institute, a business degree from Southern New Hampshire University and is otherwise a self-appointed, self-taught Jack of all Liberal Arts, but master of none. He published his biography ‘The Big Gorge’ in 2018, and lives in historic New Castle, New Hampshire with his wife, Norma, two cats, and three horses.
This is a fascinating and informative book which will appeal to those interested in the political, social, and economic history of America. The question is, what do you think after reading it? Was Amendment 17 a blessing, or a curse?
April 13, 2021
This book is absolutely filled to the brim with complex and fascinating history, all of which contains major implications for how the United States is currently governed. The key issue is an amendment, of course Amendment 17, which fundamentally altered the nature of how U.S. Senators were chosen and elected for their six-year terms. Author Michael Geanoulis refers to his book, Amendment 17: A Blessing or a Curse, as a “dissertation” and that is an apt description for it must be read carefully to fully comprehend. Amendment 17 was proposed in 1912 and passed in 1913, serving to give the author a century before and a century after to compare on many levels.
Geanoulis takes the reader on a journey through ancient and current history; how and why the Founding Fathers of the United States painstakingly created a genius system of checks and balances; the forces and motivations behind the push for Senators to be elected by the pubic rather than state legislators; how republics and pure democracies flourish and fail and so much more. The middle of the book is dominated by transcripts of speeches from brilliant Senators and a number of fascinating articles arguing for both sides, thus giving the reader a see-saw tour of the most compelling viewpoints.
Pointed out by the author is one stark reality: The Founding Fathers never envisioned creating a U.S. central government which owns more land, employs more people, spends more money and wields more power than any other entity on Earth. Geanoulis writes about how the federal leviathan reaches into every aspect of American life and how that was never intended in the creation of the United States of America, States being the operative word in that title. State power was a vital part of the balance and that was argued vociferously at the Constitutional Convention.
This is a must read for all citizens and those keenly interested in how, knowing the faults of human beings, the Founders of Philadelphia took aim at curbing unchecked power with a series of bureaucratic balances like nothing the world had ever seen. Then all it was changed dramatically with Amendment 17!
Michael James Geanoulis will explain the rest in his fascinating dissertation/book.
Brad Butler, Author of A World Flight Over Russia
Geanoulis takes the reader on a journey through ancient and current history; how and why the Founding Fathers of the United States painstakingly created a genius system of checks and balances; the forces and motivations behind the push for Senators to be elected by the pubic rather than state legislators; how republics and pure democracies flourish and fail and so much more. The middle of the book is dominated by transcripts of speeches from brilliant Senators and a number of fascinating articles arguing for both sides, thus giving the reader a see-saw tour of the most compelling viewpoints.
Pointed out by the author is one stark reality: The Founding Fathers never envisioned creating a U.S. central government which owns more land, employs more people, spends more money and wields more power than any other entity on Earth. Geanoulis writes about how the federal leviathan reaches into every aspect of American life and how that was never intended in the creation of the United States of America, States being the operative word in that title. State power was a vital part of the balance and that was argued vociferously at the Constitutional Convention.
This is a must read for all citizens and those keenly interested in how, knowing the faults of human beings, the Founders of Philadelphia took aim at curbing unchecked power with a series of bureaucratic balances like nothing the world had ever seen. Then all it was changed dramatically with Amendment 17!
Michael James Geanoulis will explain the rest in his fascinating dissertation/book.
Brad Butler, Author of A World Flight Over Russia
March 17, 2021
Amendment Seventeen: A Blessing? Or A Curse? by Michael James Geanoulis, Sr. presents an interesting history lesson while sharing the author’s thoughts on how Amendment Seventeen has affected the governing of the United States. He presents a great deal of research to make his points clear.
The average American may not be aware that up until 1913 Senate appointments were made by state legislatures. I was not aware of this, although it may have been mentioned in passing during history class back in the day. The rule of law was changed during the Progressive Era to put an end to corruption and cut down on political influence, thus giving the people the authority to elect United States senators as we know it today. State legislators argued for and against the amendment with great passion as documented by the author. Geanoulis offers sound reasons why Amendment Seventeen may have caused more problems in government than it solved. He shows how there may have been much more to the story than corruption and political influence at play in the proposal of this amendment. The author goes on to discuss the socioeconomic impact of the Seventeenth Amendment during the Great Depression. He also adds a insightful chapters on poverty and the so-called “robber barons” of the Gilded Age, such as Andrew Carnegie, John D. Rockefeller, Cornelius Vanderbilt, etc. The final chapter touches on the role of the Supreme Court on this topic.
This book was quite interesting and educational. What I found missing was how the 17th Amendment affects our government today. I felt that it was important to note in view of how the role of our votes for legislators impacts our livelihoods even more so in 2021.
The average American may not be aware that up until 1913 Senate appointments were made by state legislatures. I was not aware of this, although it may have been mentioned in passing during history class back in the day. The rule of law was changed during the Progressive Era to put an end to corruption and cut down on political influence, thus giving the people the authority to elect United States senators as we know it today. State legislators argued for and against the amendment with great passion as documented by the author. Geanoulis offers sound reasons why Amendment Seventeen may have caused more problems in government than it solved. He shows how there may have been much more to the story than corruption and political influence at play in the proposal of this amendment. The author goes on to discuss the socioeconomic impact of the Seventeenth Amendment during the Great Depression. He also adds a insightful chapters on poverty and the so-called “robber barons” of the Gilded Age, such as Andrew Carnegie, John D. Rockefeller, Cornelius Vanderbilt, etc. The final chapter touches on the role of the Supreme Court on this topic.
This book was quite interesting and educational. What I found missing was how the 17th Amendment affects our government today. I felt that it was important to note in view of how the role of our votes for legislators impacts our livelihoods even more so in 2021.
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