حكومة الولايات المتحدة حكومةٌ محدّدة، مقصورة على أغراض معيّنة، وليست كحكومات الولايات التي تتسع سلطاتها على نحو أعمّ. فالإحسان ليس من واجبات الحكومة التشريعية في شيء.

“The government of the United States is a definite government, confined to specified objects. It is not like the state governments, whose powers are more general. Charity is no part of the legislative duty of the government.”James Madison — The Debates in the Several State Conventions on the Adoption of the Federal Constitution: As Recommended by the General Convention at Philadelphia in 1787. Together with the Journal of the Federal Convention, Luther Martin's Letter, Yates's Minutes, Congressional Opinions, Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions of '98-'99, and Other Illustrations of the Constitution (1836)