tax....what would the buddha do?

Compassion....just what is it, and how does it relate to the modern Buddhist view of politics?
    Much of what is appealing about the dharma is its love of human nature and the seed of compassion that is planted and naturally developed once the practice has been started. This term "compassion" is the focal point of leftist politics in America, and is often the reason given for leaning to the left rather than focusing on the logic, or lack-thereof , in any political stance.
    The importance of recognizing suffering in the world is one of the four noble truths realized by the Buddha during his enlightenment, and the act of compassion to all living beings is fundamental to every sect of the Dharma transmitted today. The rules are embodied in the precepts that are contained within the vows of every Bodhisattva or potential practitioner. The pledge of the Bodhisattva begins...
I undertake to observe the precept to abstain from ...

1. ...harming living beings.
2. ...taking things not freely given.
3. ...sexual misconduct.
4. ...false speech.
5. ...intoxicating drinks and drugs causing heedlessness

These, of course are just the first five precepts, that are often compared to the ten commandments of Christianity  and Judaism. A monk or monastic will follow hundreds of these, and while they are NOT commandments, they are highly recommended practice in order to live a fulfilled and enlightened human life.
In the course of objectivist thought, rationality, and just plain common sense, the 2nd precept is of special interest to the conservative, and is the foundation for why I believe that the Boulder/Berkley Buddhist is EXTREMELY misguided when it comes to politics.
  While charity is stressed in practice, and mindfulness of the plight of the downtrodden, disadvantaged, elderly, and sick among us should be considered when choosing politicians and organizations to support- the most important part to keep in mind is HOW you go about helping the previously mentioned. If your idea of mindful politics is to vote for someone who will represent the charitable nature of the Buddha and his ideas by imposing your financial will on others via taxation, you are not only shirking your responsibilities of personal charity and compassion, but you are violating a key element of the dharma by causing suffering to others. If you think that taxing the rich feels good, and is somehow compassionate, keep in mind that you are assuming that "the rich" have excess money for you to demand, and that this money wouldn't normally be spent in a way that would benefit society. I wouldn't consider this right thinking, when you consider the fact that not only are you causing suffering to the person or group you are targeting politically, but you are unintentionally causing suffering to all of those people to whom this money would normally benefit in the form of jobs, raises, bonuses, and even charity. If you are not to accept money that isn't given freely, per the second precept, wouldn't the logical conclusion also be that you shouldn't indirectly through your vote for redistribution, direct that money to be taken in the form of an income tax? Taxes are necessary, however, there are more mindful, compassionate, and logical ways to make sure that they are fairly imposed. The most obvious would be via a sales tax- if you want to buy it, you have to pay the tax on it, therefore, you are willingly paying into the system.
Basically, stealing is stealing no matter the excuse....and it isn't very compassionate now is it?