One of the ways the federal government expands its powers is simply by redefining words in the Constitution.
The word “commerce” is a perfect example. By changing the meaning of the word from “trade” to “any economic activity,” the feds have seized a virtually unlimited field of power. Understanding what words meant at the time of ratification is key to understanding the powers of the government
For Further Reading
Three Supreme Court Cases that Twisted the Commerce Clause
New evidence on the “Power To . . . regulate . . . Commerce”
The Commerce Clause: Not a Micromanaging Tool
The Meaning of the Commerce Power and Congress’s and the Courts’ Use (And Abuse) Of It