Question of the Day

Did James Madison, the "father" of the U.S. Constitution and primary author of the Bill Rights, consider it constitutional for the federal government to spend money on social programs, such as food stamps, Medicaid, and Social Security?

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Madison wrote that the "general Welfare" clause of the Constitution applied only to the specific powers listed in Constitution, such as coining money, raising armies, and enacting immigration laws. He said that to interpret the Constitution in any other way was "an absurdity."

DocumentationBasic History of Social Spending Detailed History of Social Spending