Yes, his phrase of “driving” people out of poverty can sound harsh, but it is compassionate compared to government “driving” them into it–as it does today with publicly funded charity programs.

The Founders knew that the power of collecting and disbursing money is the most dangerous power that can be intrusted to man, which is why they limited that power in the Constitution. The passage of the 17th amendment (income tax) provided even greater power to Congress.

The Constitution neither defines charity nor stipulates the power to publicly fund charity – and no amendment was passed granting that power. Instead the Supreme Court ruled that the General Welfare clause in the preamble to the Constitution allowed for it.

The reality is, that America is not going back to the Constitution’s original limits on federal powers to tax and spend. Both the courts and members of Congress want it – and a majority of Americans demand it. What must be determined now, is how publicly funded charity can be constrained in order to avoid bankrupting the nation.

States must be given more say, and more responsibility in addressing these pressing issues.