AviK, thanks for the sources — that’s interesting.
Popa, that’s a good way of putting it. In other words, you’re arguing for a morality based on a priori principles, while I’m arguing a utilitarian or consequentialist ethic that looks at the effects of policies. (However, I think principles are important too, and part of it is that we don’t agree on the principle — we don’t agree on what constitutes stealing and whether government income redistribution is immoral.)
We don’t have to get into this now, but the question is, which view is more compatible with Torah? I guess one place to start would be to read R’ Aharon Levine.