Yeah, that's my lifelong curse. Another argument for "general welfare" being a limitation on the taxing power, and not a stand-alone additional power: the Articles of Confederation had no taxing power. Giving the new central government the power to tax was very controversial. They finally agreed that it had to be done, but they were wary of it. Thus, the descriptive language in that clause, to declare the reasons for the taxing power. As I said, it's all been lost now. Congress seems to think they have the power to tax and spend for anything they like.
I'm curious; was there ever a SCOTUS decision that affirmed your interpretation that the "general welfare" clause was a limitation, and not a power?
And, when was it FIRST interpreted as a "power"?