ROBIN HOOD by T. Edwin Perry
It seems that every 10-20 years, Hollywood puts out a new Robin Hood movie. When I was in College in the 90’s, it was the one with Kevin Costner (What a waste of 3 hours!) and Mel Brooks’ classic “Robin Hood: Men in Tights.” (We’re Butch!) And while the Mel Brooks film poked fun at both the Robin Hood Legend as well as pop culture of the day, the OTHER Robin Hood film told a serious tale of Social Injustice, Tyrannical Governments and the HERO that stood against it all. While I haven’t seen it, and have little desire to do so (Sorry, Russell Crowe: Loved your work in “Gladiator.”), the new iteration of the classic tale has inspired me to draw upon my observations in this post.
First, we must remember the telltale mantra of the Robin Hood Franchise: “Rob from the Rich, and Give to the Poor.” Now, the “Give to the Poor” side of the phrase infers “Charity,” most commonly defined as a gift from one to another in a time of need, and certainly there’s NOTHING wrong with Charity, right? Well, if Robin were giving his OWN money in a charitable manner, I’d shout, “HUZZAH!” Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case, because the FIRST part of the phrase is “Rob from the Rich.”
Secondly, in the typical tale of Robin Hood, the “Rich” is generally limited to the tyrannical government rule of Prince John and the Sheriff of Nottingham, but let’s think about this for a moment. If you’ve read the stories of Robin Hood, the “Rich” included Nobles and Landowners for whom the “Poor” labored…for pay. The Government would then TAX the “Poor,” which would put money in the coffers of the Government. And while the Sheriff was certainly portrayed as a villain, and the Prince as a Tyrant, the “Rich” Nobles are often overlooked or portrayed as blind fools with no sense of the Tyranny of the Government or the harsh lives of the “Poor.” And Robin Hood, Prince of Thieves that he was, would steal from the “Rich,” including those who paid the poor, in essence stealing the wages that the Rich could no longer pay TO the Poor FROM the Poor to GIVE to the Poor. And, of course, the argument is that the Rich don’t DESERVE to be Rich, and should give their wealth to the Poor. This, my friends, is Socialism 101!
Lastly, Robin Hood is painted as a Hero, and perhaps his intentions ARE heroic, but his ACTIONS are the definition of villainy. When you take by force from one and give to another, it is not CHARITY: it is REDISTRIBUTION OF WEALTH. It takes the freedom to CHOOSE to give to charity by the Rich, and implies that the Poor cannot survive without the intervention of the Thief! This is the chief lesson taught by Socialists throughout the world.
The Progressive Movement in our Country has usurped the story of Robin Hood from the People and has attempted to re-write it in their image. Progressives tell us that the Rich are evil, (even though most of whom in power ARE, in fact, among the wealthiest in America), and paint the GOVERNMENT as their Robin Hood, “Stealing from the Rich” in the form of high taxes, and “Giving to the Poor” in the form of Social Welfare Programs. And, as their spending increases, demand for these Social Programs increase, requiring more taxes and an expansion of the definition of “The Rich” from which the Government may steal. It creates an unsustainable burden on the economy, resulting in increased unemployment as the “Rich” employers cannot afford the increased benefits demanded by the Government, and crushes the entrepreneurs who would otherwise employ the “Poor.”
As a Conservative, I believe that CAPITALISM is the only true way to “Spread the Wealth” in a sustainable and productive way. Capitalism provides success for both the entrepreneur who invests his/her money into the business, and for the worker, who benefits in terms of wages from their labors. Sure, there are those who feel they deserve more money, but under a Capitalist Society, workers who are unsatisfied with their jobs have the POWER to leave their current job and parlay that experience and success into a more profitable position. Yes, Capitalism relies upon the individual to achieve their own successes and to empower THEMSELVES to become “The Rich.” And I believe that the Progressive/Socialist doctrine of relying on the Government to “Redistribute the Wealth” rewards mediocrity and brainwashes the Individual into the belief that they CANNOT succeed without the Government’s involvement.
President Grover Cleveland (Yes, a Democrat, but a CONSERVATIVE Democrat), said, “The Lesson should be learned that though the People support the Government, Government should not support the people.” We must stand against the Tyranny of the Government, especially when it pretends to act in the “Best Interests” of the People. We must know the difference between right and wrong, and anything that BEGINS with “Stealing” is fundamentally WRONG!
That said, please turn off your cell phones and enjoy the movie….
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