The "General Welfare" clause

I'm currently reading Ron Paul's new book titled 'The Revolution: A Manifesto' which debuted at #1 on Amazon.com's bestseller list. It's a great book which discusses the usurpation of the U.S. Constitution by our Federal Government. I'm currently reading Chapter 3, appropriately titled 'The Constitution'.

As this election year presses on, debates strike up between me and my liberal friends regarding the unconstitutional laws which are drafted by Congress and the unconstitutional ideas that this Congress and our Presidential Candidates have in store for the future. As soon as I point out a bill or law which is unconstitutional, no matter how flattering the bill may be, the first thing my liberal friends fall back on is the "General Welfare" Clause which they believe gives Congress free reign to "promote the general welfare".

In his book, Paul quotes James Madison on this issue. Who better to answer questions on the General Welfare clause than James Madison, the "Father of the Constitution"? I mean, can liberals really argue with the man who wrote the words?

Regarding the clause, Madison is quoted by saying, "If Congress can do whatever in their discretion can be done by money, and will promote the General Welfare, the Government is no longer a limited one, possessing enumerated powers, but an indefinite one, subject to particular expressions." In addition, he says, "With respect to the words general welfare, I have always regarded them as qualified by the detail of powers connected with them. To take them in a literal and unlimited sense would be a metamorphosis of the Constitution into a character which there is a host of proofs was not contemplated by its creators."

So as you can see, the intent behind the General Welfare clause, explained by the man who wrote it, was not to give free reign to Congress. If that was the intent, then why spell out all specific powers enumerated to the Congress in Article 1, Section 8 of the Constitution?

Sadly, over the last half of our country's lifespan, Americans have sat by and let Congress grow more and more powerful and government as a whole grow bigger and bigger. And we keep voting the politicians into office under the premise that you had no choice but to vote for the lesser of two evils. And then when Ron Paul makes speeches or participates in debates, people listen to him and think he's off the wall. We've become so indoctrinated and desensitized that we won't even listen to a true patriot. Ron Paul is not in politics for power like most politicians. He truly cares for this country and the Constitution. Unlike other politicians, he has the voting record to back that up. Yes, there were a few bad apples who supported Paul who made the news by acting badly, but most supporters, I believe, are those who yearn for maximum Godly liberty as our Founding Fathers intended.

Will Americans continue to sit by and watch this great country head closer and closer towards Socialism under the pretense that our Constitution is a "living document" and can be interpreted however politicians see fit?

Thomas Jefferson said, Constitutions "may be violated in moments of passion and delusion", but "they furnish a text to which those who are watchful may again rally and recall the people".