[jiggyboy]

I think all these can be considered to be under the umbrella of National Defense. We've given up on the "local strongman" theory and replaced it with "liberty for all will dissuade them from attacking us". Wilsonian in effect, but perhaps not in intent.

[JohnGalt]

That logic follows the liberal tradition of justifying every federalized handout as constitutional under the 'General Welfare' clause.

Even, worse, the hawks have used the tactics of the left to convince themselves the George Washington had no idea what the world would be like when he warned against "searching for foreign monsters to destroy." You can disagree with him, you can say he had no idea what the world would be like today, but at some point, you cease to be a conservative and become merely a pawn in the whims of the political ruling class of the day.