"in the alternative of meaning nothing or meaning everything, had the former meaning taken for granted." - James Madison
Contrary to popular Libertarian sentiment, the American Republic was never a dictatorship run by Madison. Instead, Madison was merely *one* minority vote among numerous Founding Fathers.
Moreover, the "alternative" is not between "everything" or "nothing", but rather somewhat less stark than that, as countless court cases over the last 2 centuries reveal.
...then why waste ink enumerating limited duties when your (misguided) interpretation of "general welfare" allows the feds to do whatever they deem beneficial at any time?
re: your point that Madison was just one of many with his own opinion...an honest reading of the Federalist papers, not to mention the quote offered from Jefferson, shows that Madison's view was indeed the majority position.