What does promote the general welfare mean in the preamble

The concern of the government for the health, peace, morality, and safety of its citizens

. Providing for the welfare of the general public is a basic goal of government. The preamble to the U. S. Constitution cites promotion of the general welfare as a primary reason for the creation of the Constitution. Promotion of the general welfare is also a stated purpose in state constitutions and statutes. The concept has sparked controversy only as a result of its inclusion in the body of the U. S. Constitution.