Reply To: No Taxation with Representation

I have always reconciled the problem with a strong commitment to federalism: I oppose the Federal government taxing people to redistribute wealth, but I strongly support taxation at a local level to provide welfare, healthcare, housing, and other such services for the poor within that jurisdiction. I believe this squares with the halachic model of expansive taxation and redistribution powers at the kehillah level, and the heavy burden born by gabbayei tzeddakah to use the funds efficiently and without waste – this can only be done by local, accountable bureaucratic administering welfare to local needy with minimal overhead and fraud.