An interesting thought.
But we are discussing the General Welfare Clause.
That's easy to understand.
The system of government is all about balance of power through checks and balances.
Balance of power like a see-saw or the scales of justice? No, like an equilateral triangle.
In an equilateral triangle, all angles are 60° (adding up to 180°) and thus each side is equal length.
Who are the three parties that make up this equilateral triangle? The United States, the several States and the people.
Once you understand that, then everything makes sense. The Constitution is consistent with its terminology.
The "people" means the people and "the people" does not mean the several States or the United States. The several States means the States and it does not mean the people or the United States.
The "United States" means solely and exclusively the federal government.
When reading the Constitution -- if it will improve your understanding -- cross out "United States" everywhere you see it and replace it with "federal government."
"The Congress shall have Power to lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises, to pay the Debts and provide for the common Defence and general Welfare of the United States."
"The Congress shall have Power to lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises, to pay the Debts and provide for the common Defence and general Welfare of the federal government."
What is the correct use of the "general Welfare" Clause?
Q: Would it be in the general Welfare of the federal government to have ambassadors to foreign States residing in those foreign States to effectively engage in diplomacy on behalf of the federal government?
A: Yes, even more so as the world became increasingly more complex.
Since the answer is "Yes", Congress has the authority to levy an appropriate tax to raise the monies needed to pay for the housing for its ambassadors.
Q: Would it be in the common defense and general Welfare of the federal government to have naval bases at Subic Bay in the Philippine Islands?
A: Yes (apparently.)
Q: Would it be in the common defense and general Welfare of the federal government to purchase land in the Hawaiian Islands and construct a naval base at Pearl Harbor?
A: Yes (also apparently.)
In both instances, Congress has the authority to raise the appropriate taxes to fund those ventures.
The "general Welfare" Clause only applies to the federal government and it does not apply to the several States or the people.