> I think that most people throughout the developed world believe that ensuring the general welfare of a country's citizens is an essential function of governme

> I think that most people throughout the developed world believe that ensuring the general welfare of a country's citizens is an essential function of government. State governments are sovereign, too, and have far fewer constitutional restrictions on what they may do. I may not agree with the social-welfare schemes dreamt up by Texans, Michiganders or Californians, but they do not effect me, so it's not really my business. OTOH a federal social-welfare scheme effects me and is patently unconstitutional.