What did our founders really mean when they said “general welfare”?

[Big Bend Texas]

Lot of things don’t
The Constitution is only four pages long, it empowers Congress to do what is necessary for We the People

No such broad general language exists in our constitution.

If it did the whole thing could have been drafted on one page.

 

[ding]

So what?

So it's a term that applies to the general welfare of the country, not any one individual.

 

[ding]

Good thing social programs generally promote the general welfare

FDR might disagree with you.

"...The lessons of history, confirmed by the evidence immediately before me, show conclusively that continued dependence upon relief induces a spiritual disintegration fundamentally destructive to the national fiber. To dole out relief in this way is to administer a narcotic, a subtle destroyer of the human spirit. It is inimical to the dictates of a sound policy. It is in violation of the traditions of America..."
FDR, Annual Message to Congress, January 04, 1935

 

[rightwinger]

No such broad general language exists in our constitution.

If it did the whole thing could have been drafted on one page.

The entire Constitution is broad language. It provides very little specific instructions.

Its main purpose is to establish a Government of We the People to do what needs to be done

It establishes three branches of Government to do that

 

[rightwinger]

FDR might disagree with you.

"...The lessons of history, confirmed by the evidence immediately before me, show conclusively that continued dependence upon relief induces a spiritual disintegration fundamentally destructive to the national fiber. To dole out relief in this way is to administer a narcotic, a subtle destroyer of the human spirit. It is inimical to the dictates of a sound policy. It is in violation of the traditions of America..."
FDR, Annual Message to Congress, January 04, 1935

FDR established more social programs of any President

 

[Vegasgiants]

FDR might disagree with you.

"...The lessons of history, confirmed by the evidence immediately before me, show conclusively that continued dependence upon relief induces a spiritual disintegration fundamentally destructive to the national fiber. To dole out relief in this way is to administer a narcotic, a subtle destroyer of the human spirit. It is inimical to the dictates of a sound policy. It is in violation of the traditions of America..."
FDR, Annual Message to Congress, January 04, 1935

YOU mean the new deal FDR? LOL

 

[ding]

FDR established more social programs of any President

Exactly and he made that statement to congress after doing so. So he is a credible witness when he says:

"...The lessons of history, confirmed by the evidence immediately before me, show conclusively that continued dependence upon relief induces a spiritual disintegration fundamentally destructive to the national fiber. To dole out relief in this way is to administer a narcotic, a subtle destroyer of the human spirit. It is inimical to the dictates of a sound policy. It is in violation of the traditions of America..."
FDR, Annual Message to Congress, January 04, 1935

 

[ding]

YOU mean the new deal FDR? LOL

Yes. That's the guy.

"...The lessons of history, confirmed by the evidence immediately before me, show conclusively that continued dependence upon relief induces a spiritual disintegration fundamentally destructive to the national fiber. To dole out relief in this way is to administer a narcotic, a subtle destroyer of the human spirit. It is inimical to the dictates of a sound policy. It is in violation of the traditions of America..."
FDR, Annual Message to Congress, January 04, 1935

Annual Message to Congress | The American Presidency Project

www.presidency.ucsb.edu

 

[Vegasgiants]

Exactly and he made that statement to congress after doing so. So he is a credible witness when he says:

"...The lessons of history, confirmed by the evidence immediately before me, show conclusively that continued dependence upon relief induces a spiritual disintegration fundamentally destructive to the national fiber. To dole out relief in this way is to administer a narcotic, a subtle destroyer of the human spirit. It is inimical to the dictates of a sound policy. It is in violation of the traditions of America..."
FDR, Annual Message to Congress, January 04, 1935

Yeah he was great for social programs

 

[Vegasgiants]

Yes. That's the guy.

"...The lessons of history, confirmed by the evidence immediately before me, show conclusively that continued dependence upon relief induces a spiritual disintegration fundamentally destructive to the national fiber. To dole out relief in this way is to administer a narcotic, a subtle destroyer of the human spirit. It is inimical to the dictates of a sound policy. It is in violation of the traditions of America..."
FDR, Annual Message to Congress, January 04, 1935

Annual Message to Congress | The American Presidency Project

www.presidency.ucsb.edu

A true social progressive

 

[Slade3200]

That has been attempted and failed as shown above at the link.

It’s also been attempted and used in many case adjudications… correct?

 

[rightwinger]

So it's a term that applies to the general welfare of the country, not any one individual.

Everything they do is for the country

Some individuals may benefit more than others

 

[rightwinger]

Exactly and he made that statement to congress after doing so. So he is a credible witness when he says:

"...The lessons of history, confirmed by the evidence immediately before me, show conclusively that continued dependence upon relief induces a spiritual disintegration fundamentally destructive to the national fiber. To dole out relief in this way is to administer a narcotic, a subtle destroyer of the human spirit. It is inimical to the dictates of a sound policy. It is in violation of the traditions of America..."
FDR, Annual Message to Congress, January 04, 1935

You are Cherry Picking

FDR spoke volumes about helping people who were struggling

 

[ding]

Yeah he was great for social programs

Which makes him a credible witness when he said....

"...The lessons of history, confirmed by the evidence immediately before me, show conclusively that continued dependence upon relief induces a spiritual disintegration fundamentally destructive to the national fiber. To dole out relief in this way is to administer a narcotic, a subtle destroyer of the human spirit. It is inimical to the dictates of a sound policy. It is in violation of the traditions of America..."
FDR, Annual Message to Congress, January 04, 1935

 

[ding]

A true social progressive

Yes, which makes him a credible witness for when he said,

"...The lessons of history, confirmed by the evidence immediately before me, show conclusively that continued dependence upon relief induces a spiritual disintegration fundamentally destructive to the national fiber. To dole out relief in this way is to administer a narcotic, a subtle destroyer of the human spirit. It is inimical to the dictates of a sound policy. It is in violation of the traditions of America..."
FDR, Annual Message to Congress, January 04, 1935

 

[ding]

Everything they do is for the country

Some individuals may benefit more than others

I agree with that. But that does not mean to do for people what they can and should do for themselves.

 

[ding]

You are Cherry Picking

FDR spoke volumes about helping people who were struggling

No, I'm not cherry picking. I am pointing out the risk of continued dependence which FDR himself recognized as occurring.

 

[BS Filter]

You are Cherry Picking

FDR spoke volumes about helping people who were struggling

The great depression was an unusual period. Because of the depression the communist party and socialism was gaining prominence. Minnesota had even elected a socialist governor, something unheard of before. Either join them or get beat.

 

[rightwinger]

I agree with that. But that does not mean to do for people what they can and should do for themselves.

Government can do things that help people.
It may just be more efficient than every person doing it themselves

You are capable of delivering your own mail, the Government just does it better
You can test your own food, water and drugs……it is better if the Government does it

 

[Vegasgiants]

Yes, which makes him a credible witness for when he said,

"...The lessons of history, confirmed by the evidence immediately before me, show conclusively that continued dependence upon relief induces a spiritual disintegration fundamentally destructive to the national fiber. To dole out relief in this way is to administer a narcotic, a subtle destroyer of the human spirit. It is inimical to the dictates of a sound policy. It is in violation of the traditions of America..."
FDR, Annual Message to Congress, January 04, 1935

He was great for social programs.....right?