is not considered general welfare?
Fiscal conservativism is an ideology of the wealthy. It is not based on reason, but on selfishness. There are many rich liberals supporting health care for all - an unselfish, decent and rational position to hold.
Well, you guys are obviously interpreting the "promoting the general welfare" phrase in a wide-open manner. I am not. Article 1, Section 8 (as Mr. Rosenberg sited above) goes on to explicitly list the powers of the Federal Government concerning promoting the general welfare, and I can't find any mention in there of health care or wages (or education, or social security, etc). And if it ain't specifically listed, then that power belongs to the States, as per the 10th Amendment. That's how I interpret it.
It's not like I think health care, a livable wage, or whatever entitlement you can think of, are bad ideas (so I reject your claim of selfishness); I just don't think the Federal Government has the power to regulate these things. It should be left to the State Governments.
"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." -James Madison, Federalist No. 45
So personally, I can't reconcile the words of Mr. Madison, or the text of the 10th Amendment with a liberal interpretation of the Federal Government's powers. Of course, I don't really expect you (or probably pretty much anybody on MyDD) to think the same way, and that's just fine. It's not like I believe I am going to sway anyone over to my way of thinking!
