A fellow comes to your door, points a gun at you, and demands money for him to cover his expenses. This is certainly stealing.
The next time, he points a gun and demands money. He'll keep a little of it and pay the bulk to a needy neighbor. This is stealing.
The third time, he points a gun and says the neighborhood has appointed him their agent to demand your money. He is to retain a little of it and pay the bulk to a needy neighbor. This is stealing, too.
The fourth time, the government comes to your door, points a gun, and demands money. More than half will pay for the government’s enormous bureaucracy, the crony capitalists, and interest on the debt. Considerably less than half will get to the needy. This is called taxation.
