the Defense issue should not necessarily be narrowly defined, but it should be clearly defined.
Yes, the commerce clause has been abused terribly, particularly with regards to supposed interstate commerce. I would hazard a guess that 75% of what the feds do regarding interstate commerce is utter BS.
But they are answerable to us. We can sweep the worthless bastards out of office, and I recommend we do so. IOTW, I’m not in favor of creating a unelected international or even interstate supervisory entity that has authority over interstate commerce. I am, however, in favor of electing those who would kill off the executive branch’s Dept of Commerce, and who would devolve the labyrinth of nonsensical restrictions.
It lead, in part, to our Civil War.
As for the clear national security interest how do you argue with ADM that food is not a national security issue? I mean just about anything can be a “national security” issue, no?
Can't you just see Rangle and Frank saying that housing or welfare or national health insurance are “national security” issues. You know it has been abused before, just to cover up embarrassments.