[quote=mdk]
Currently true. In a primal USA, the early constitution set it up so that you voted for your local reps, and *they* picked your senators. That was changed in the 17th amendment. Which is a mistake, because like you said, that isolates all your participation in DC to simply voting each November -- rather than being able to effect changes locally which will later impact federal representation.
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It also keeps you from being able to replace Senators who have gone off the rails and began doing things they said they weren't going to, and opposing things they said they'd support.