[Avodah] John Locke and Tzedaqa

[Arie Folger]

RMM wrote:
> Now, I cannot go to my neighbor's house and take his money
> to feed the poor. Therefore, I cannot grant the government that
> power either. The entire concept of taxation for the sake of
> social welfare is anathema to the Framers of the United States
> Constitution.

Eh, halakhically not true: kofin 'al hatzedaqa.
Rambam hil. matnot 'aniyim 7:9[10]:
http://www.mechon-mamre.org/i/7207.htm
Whoever does not want to give charity, or  gives less than what befits
him, the court forces him, and beat him, until he will give as much as
[the court] establish he should give. And [the court may authorize for
its designated agents to] go into his domain and take whtever it
befits him to give.

> Now, I cannot go to my neighbor's house and take his money
> to feed the poor. Therefore, I cannot grant the government that
> power either. The entire concept of taxation for the sake of social
> welfare is anathema to the Framers of the United States Constitution.

See above quote.

Social contract theory does have a place in Judaism, but it is not the
only justification for government; it may explain some of the
government's roles and prerogatives.

Kol tuv
-- 
Arie Folger,
Latest blog posts on http://ariefolger.wordpress.com/
* Was die jüdische Frommigkeit animieren soll
* Equal Justice for All - even in Israel?
* The Warmongering Laboring Amazons
* But is it Still Pork?
* Glaubensweitergabe – Ein Videovortrag