And what power might that be?
The anti-federalists argued against the inclusion of the "general welfare clause" into our Constitution because it could be potentially be abused and mis-construed as unlimited powers.
Madison responded to them that the general welfare clause was merely a “general phrase” which was explained in detail by the sentences following it, enumerating the specific powers granted to Congress. Madison argued that the idea that the term “general welfare” would take precedence over the specific limitations(the 17 listed below the phrase) he described as “an absurdity.(FP41.
As we all now know, the anti-federalists against this phrases insertion were right all along, and Madison was dead wrong.
Today Congress and proponents of the nanny state rely heavily upon this phrase to do anything they deem necessary inspite of the enumerated powers prescribed just below the general prhase...which was merely an introduction to the list of enumerated powers to follow. At least that is what Madison inferred.
Of course, the anti-federalists were right on this one. Their fears that's it's inclusion would have the potential for abuse has been realized today.
Thank you Mr. Madison...not that "absurd" afterall now was it?
You don't know what you're talking about.
The real problem is the twisting of the interstate commerce clause.