OPINION:
The Senate was established in the Constitution by the Great Compromise of 1787 as a check upon out-of-control majoritarian rule that would disregard the interests of citizens in less-populated areas (“Liberals irked by Manchin call for new Senate apportioned by population,” Web, Dec. 20). We need not speculate about the results if Democrats succeed in eliminating it; the move would likely lead to the end of the union.
Until 57 years ago, most states had legislatures structured like Congress at the national level, with a lower chamber based on equal representation by population, and an upper chamber with equal representation by areas (usually counties).
This changed in 1964, when the Supreme Court issued its “one-man, one vote” ruling in the case of Reynolds v. Sims. Henceforth states’ upper chambers would be based upon population, just like the lower chambers. In one stroke, the Supreme Court rendered state senates superfluous. As populated areas disregarded the interests of less-populated areas, the resulting dissatisfaction has ignited secession efforts in several states, to better serve their citizens’ interests.
In their quest for unrestricted political power, are Democrats willing to risk splitting the country into separate parts? Unfortunately, recent evidence indicates they are.
ROGER JOHNSON
Kensington, Md.
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