Who’s welfare are we talking about?

I would suggest that the Feb. 28 writer of the letter “Health care law: It provides for welfare of citizens” take the time to read the Federalist Papers. These essays have become the dominant reference for interpreting the

meaning of the Constitution as intended by the framers.

The two primary authors, James Madison and Alexander Hamilton, both wrote theories on the intent of this clause. While Madison wrote “that spending must be at least tangentially tied to one of the other specifically enumerated powers,” which health care is not, Hamilton believed Congress could spend at its discretion, “providing that the spending is general in nature and does not favor any specific section of the country over any other.”

Judging by the poll numbers it would seem that an overwhelming percentage of Americans feel that taking from some to give to others most definitely favors one section over the other. The founding fathers never intended the “general welfare” clause to provide unlimited funding to give away to an ever-increasing populace who rely on government to take care of their every need.

Health care is not a right. A right is something that we are all equally entitled to that does not impose a burden on another. Taking money from one class to give to another is theft, plain and simple. It is not my responsibility to provide your health care, and it doesn’t take an “expert” to understand the plain language of the Constitution.

Kevin English
Marysville