George Will is a conservative, syndicated writer in Washington DC. He has a vast collection of awards including a Pulitzer. He is writing to an audience of conservative and mostly Republican readers. This article was written for the Washington Post and reprinted in The State, both newspapers having conservative views.
He is attempting to show the abuse to the 17th amendment in how a senate member is voted in under special circumstances. The 17th amendment is losing its checks and balances. He complains that the current way is far from what the writers of the constitution actually meant, but that was okay, because congress often rewrites as it wishes.
I personally love the quote, by George Will, “Being elected to Congress is regarded as being sent on a looting raid for one's friends”. This article is written in the same attitude as this quote, congress is busy doing whatever it really wants to and as much as it wants.
