Shall I repost the general welfare clause? Nevermind, here it is: The first clause of Article I, Section 8, reads, "The Congress shall have Power to lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises, to pay the Debts and provide for the common Defence and general Welfare of the United States." It's not even an amendment; it is part of the body of the Constitution *and* placed near the beginning. That's significant. Our founding fathers gave a very clear message that they considered protecting the citizenry from dangers that they do not have the means or resources to protect themselves from is pretty much the purpose of government. And, despite your views colored by your libertarian romanticism, it *is* conservative to believe that the government should fulfil its constitutionally mandated functions.
I should also point out that it's quite clear that, whatever some founding fathers might have written, the general welfare clause still was included in the Constitution. In the same sentence as national defense, even... although I suppose you would say that that's also unnecessary, since you can protect yourself from an invading army just fine on your own.
What else do you want the Federal government to regulate? Are you next going to say that they should regulate the types of fast foods which are sold? Are you going to suggest that they ban certain foods because they are too high in fat or sodium?
STAY THE HELL OUT OF MY PANTRY AND MY NEIGHBOR’S PANTRY. WORRY ABOUT YOUR OWN.
Excuse me? How on earth does making sure the food you buy isn't rotten or adulterated with things like melamine equate to controlling what you choose to eat or where you obtain your food? You keep going on about that, but that's not what food safety is about and it isn't something I have mentioned, even once. So quit bringing it up, already.
“protecting the citizenry from dangers that they do not have the means or resources to protect themselves from is pretty much the purpose of government.”
Okay, but what government? Federal, state, local? Are you aware there’s a difference, or is it all of a piece to you? Have you ever bothered reading the 10th amendment, or have any basic knowlwdge of the machinery of our constitutional government? The words “general welfare” somehow blind people to the limited nature of federal power. Nit sure why, except that they personally like it when the feds do more things, and as such grab onto whatever’s available to justify themselves.
Hiw do you even know what the people are and aren’t able to do for themselves.l? Ugh, nevermind. That would be a pointless digression. What you quote doesn’t say what you say it says, is the main point. Far tron it. All it says is that Congress can levy taxes in so and so ways for so and so ends. Why regulating the national food supply for safety purposes jumps out at you from that is utterly beyond me.
“it *is* conservative to believe that the government should fulfilled its constitutionally mandated functions”
Where is the FDA mandated, again? Kindly quote the article and section. Or are you going to go on about the taxing power again?
“whatever some founding fathers might have written, the general welfare clause still was included in the Constitution.”
Yes, but that clause doesn’t read “Congress may do whatever it thinks provides for the general welfare.” That’s merely what statists like you want it to say.