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To: jwalsh07
That is the preamble to the Constitution, it does not enumerate or grant powers to the central government. You are not alone in asserting that they are granted powers. All leftists feel the same way.

The powers meant to provide for the common defense and general welfare are enumerated in Article 1, section 8, such as ...

1) To regulate Commerce with foreign Nations
2) To establish an uniform Rule of Naturalization
3) To coin Money, regulate the Value thereof,
4) To provide for the Punishment of counterfeiting
5) To establish Post Offices and post Roads
6) To promote the Progress of Science and useful Arts ...
7) To constitute Tribunals inferior to the supreme Court;

All of the above are meant to provide for the general Welfare of the United States ...

All of the following are meant to provide for the common Defence of the United States;

8) To define and punish Piracies and Felonies committed on the high Seas ...
9) To declare War, grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal ...
10) To raise and support Armies,
11) To provide and maintain a Navy;
12) To make Rules for the Government and Regulation of the land and naval Forces;
13) To provide for calling forth the Militia
14) To provide for organizing, arming, and disciplining, the Militia

15) And then there's the one that sets the parameters for the District of Columbia. (Doesn't fit in either category)

After they take the time to specifically enumerate the powers I listed here they say Congress has the power ...

"To make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers,"

Now why would they go to the trouble of listing powers so specifically if all they had to say was support the general welfare?

But if you still feel the preamble lists powers delegated to the federal government then do me this ... Name ONE power, program, or department (current or imagined) that wouldn't/couldn't/doesn't, fall under the heading "general welfare". Or just tell me how the federal government would be limited if "common defense" and "general welfare" were granted powers. Thanks.

265 posted on 03/03/2002 5:34:49 PM PST by Gumption
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To: Gumption
In an effort to get us in the same ball park, I asked you how we could pratically sustain an army and navy if we keep giving away weapons wich would destroy them and make it impossible for them to do their job. It is this that makes your interpretation not just wrong but impratical.

You don't need to keep posting the wording. I am familiar with it. I am not arguing about the wording. I am arguing application.

283 posted on 03/03/2002 7:39:39 PM PST by breakem
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To: Gumption
All of the above are meant to provide for the general Welfare of the United States ...

Shouldn't that be promote the general Welfare of the United States. Common mistake.

289 posted on 03/04/2002 1:20:58 AM PST by Cincinatus' Wife
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