The Founders never intended for the General Welfare or Necessary and Proper Clause to be grants of power, rather a purpose for the listed powers in Article 1 Section 8 in the case of the former clause and an explicit statement of what was implied by granting those powers in the case of the latter clause.
The Necessary and Proper Clause really gets to me because people have taken it to mean it gives Congress “wiggle room”, when in reality it’s a completely redunant statement basically saying Congress has powers and the way it executes them is through laws. Here it is:
“To make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into Execution the FOREGOING [my emphasis] Powers, and all other Powers vested by this Constitution in the Government of the United States, or in any Department or Officer thereof.”
Gotta run gather up a sick grandbaby so I'll check back in approaching the wee hours.