The original intent of the framers was that there should not be direct election of senators. The upper chamber was where learned elites were supposed to prevent mob rule and smaller states were given enough clout to protect their rights from being infringed. Until 1913, Senators were appointed by Governors or elected by state legislatures. They represented the states.

 In 1913 the 17th Amendment was passed which took the power to choose U. S. Senators from state legislatures and caused the  voters to cast direct votes, effectively creating TWO Houses of Representatives. Since then the power and size and cost of federal government has increased a hundred-fold.

Senator costs run  from $750,000 to $50 million to get elected, depending on the size of the State the seat represents. This was in 2013.

When it comes to winning a Senate race, the advantages of money and incumbency are clear. In 2002, fewer than ten percent of candidates won a race without these advantages.

To win election, a Senate candidate has to raise millions of dollars, but once he gets in he has a good chance of staying in.  Once in office, a Senator has such power that giant corporations stand in line to give money to their campaign chests. Lobbyists pressure senators to pass laws that will favor the interests they represent.  Our nation is being purchased by  pressure groups and corporations.

In other words, to be elected, a Senate candidate has to raise millions of dollars, but once he is elected he has a good chance of remaining there.  Once in office, a Senator has such power that giant corporations stand in line to give money to their campaign chests. Then they send lobbyists to ask the Senator to pass laws that will favor those corporations.  Our nation is being purchased by giant corporations.