[SwedeBoy2]

The commerce clause was meant to keep states from imposing trade barriers with regards to each other. The word “regulate” meant “to keep regular”.

Exactly So.

In other words, The Commerce Clause was instituted in order to Maintain commerce, Not restrict it.

It has been perverted.

[Ken H]

Agree. James Madison told us exactly what the Commerce Clause was intended for, and just as important, what it was NOT intended for. Here is what he wrote on the power to regulate commerce among the several states:

...it grew out of the abuse of the power by the importing States in taxing the non-importing, and was intended as a negative and preventive provision against injustice among the States themselves, rather than as a power to be used for the positive purposes of the General Government, in which alone, however, the remedial power could be lodged.

Full text of the letter here:

http://press-pubs.uchicago.edu/founders/documents/a1_8_3_commerces19.html