As far as I know, the GW clause has never been used as a stand-alone grant of power, but only in conjunction with enumerated powers. Everything a politician does can be said to be for the General Welfare.
Madison: “With respect to the two words ‘general welfare’, I have always regarded them as qualified by the detail of powers connected with them. To take them in a literal and unlimited sense would be a metamorphosis of the Constitution into a character which there is a host of proofs was not contemplated by its creators.”
Jefferson: “Congress has not unlimited powers to provide for the general welfare, but only those specifically enumerated.”
This is going to come down to the tax power or the commerce power, or if everyone suddenly decides to join Scalia, the necessary and proper clause. I think Congress ruled out the tax route, and the judges seem to at least think that is possible. If they completely agreed with me, I expect we would have seen summary judgment. If they agreed with you, we would have two dismissals.
Do you really think it will be the tax power in the end? Or are you just messing with me again? ;)
If so, where is the relevance to this discussion?
Do you really think it will be the tax power in the end?
Inter alia.