The random political thoughts thread (Part Deux)

[lizziebith]

It seems obvious to me the usage of the word "promote" was stylistic (to avoid redundancy). From Encarta, "promote" and its antonyms:

promote (v)

Synonyms: advance, further, put forward, raise, upgrade, elevate

Antonym: demote


Synonyms: endorse, encourage, help, sponsor, stimulate, uphold, prop up, campaign for, support, foster

Antonym: suppress


Synonyms: disseminate, plug, advocate, push, market, make known, advertise, publicize, boost, propagandize

Antonym: defame


Synonyms: further, progress, move forward, stage, put on, organize, arrange

Antonym: prevent

Now, what can a government possibly do to "promote" general welfare -- disseminate motivational posters?

Unless the founding fathers were genuinely concerned enough about being perceived by the citizenry of demoting, suppressing, defaming, preventing or otherwise not being in favor of general welfare, and, as such, felt the need to declare that they were totally behind it, dude, hence the use of the word "promote."