Excerpted:
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James Madison, in explaining the Constitution in Federalist Paper No. 45, said, "The powers delegated by the proposed Constitution to the federal government are few and defined. Those which are to remain in the State governments are numerous and indefinite. The former will be exercised principally on external objects, as war, peace, negotiation, and foreign commerce."
Regarding the "general welfare" clause so often used as a justification for bigger government, Thomas Jefferson said, "Congress has not unlimited powers to provide for the general welfare, but only those specifically enumerated." Madison said, "If Congress can do whatever in their discretion can be done by money, and will promote the general welfare, the government is no longer a limited one possessing enumerated powers, but an indefinite one subject to particular exceptions." "
Walter Williams on proposed Enumerated Powers Act
I think the general welfare clause was meant to qualify, not enable, actions by the federal government.
I also think it's a ridiculous sham that the Commerce Clause has been so broadly interpreted. By the way, for those who seem to generally like the idea of a broadly empowered federal government, it's also the Commerce Clause that enables the absurd War on Drugs and vests the federal government with even more of a police-state-like ability and conduct. The Left ought to realize that the Commerce Clause doesn't just enable the quasi-socialistic things they like, it also enables much greater government fascistic behavior and deprivation of liberties which ought to be things the Left doesn't like.
Commerce Clause aside, the article by Williams deals with the proposed Enumerated Powers Act (and I think that Act would be a GREAT idea). He also comments on what he sees as Congress' habitual contempt for the Constitution.
Thanks for reading, and all comments welcome.