They were more careful. "provide for the common Defence and general Welfare of the United States" is a justification for the enumerated powers. The enumerated

They were more careful. "provide for the common Defence and general Welfare of the United States" is a justification for the enumerated powers. The enumerated powers were much more specific like To raise and support Armies, but no Appropriation of Money to that Use shall be for a longer Term than two Years; To provide and maintain a Navy; The so-called "elastic clause" is the one that reads "To make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers". Which can indeed be read fairly expansively, particularly if you ignore the clear and explicit intent to keep government power circumscribed. But there isn't anything anywhere near as ridiculous as a power to promote the general welfare as such.