Americans are smitten with the notion of Robin Hood; a champion of genuine, pure justice who stands up for the downtrodden; a keen and savvy character who strikes out at an unfair system, which indulges a few with opulence while it plagues the masses with poverty. Of course, some can do without the eccentric green tights, but, in spite of this fashion faux pas, Robin Hood is widely admired.
As is generally summarized, the classic fable told of a nobleman-turned-bandit who stole from the rich and gave to the poor. He robbed from Prince John and the fortunate noblesse in order to distribute the wealth among the kingdom’s poor. His thievery is seen in these instances as just and good, because he took from those whom life arbitrarily gave excess, in order to distribute that concentrated wealth to the hapless masses. The wealthy are seen as left with plenty, either because their initial wealth was immeasurably massive, or because “life,” for an inexplicable reason, continually gives to the rich, and the poor now had, if not enough, at least more.
In attempted emulation, we endorse our government’s actions to levy weighty taxes on the wealthiest citizens. We are content to steal from the “rich” and give to the “poor.” But, our good intensions go awry. However fair and virtuous Robin Hood’s actions, taxation and wealth redistribution actions are more akin to the evils of Prince John than to Robin Hood. Because we act upon an incorrect parallel between real life and the fable the good outcome that we seek will elude us.
In any fable, a key to the lesson lies in accurately understanding which character represents which real person or group. In our current society any individual possessing wealth is seen as Prince John, and people in the lower economic classes are equated to the peasants of the kingdom. This parallel is fatally wrong.
If we look at the proper parallels we will see why. Prince John ruled in King Richard’s absence as the government. The peasants were the citizens of the kingdom. The tale’s conflict develops because the government imposed excessively burdensome taxes on the citizens, apparently so that Prince John could amass wealth and power. Prince John most likely hoped to accrue enough wealth and power to retain the throne when Richard returned. Under the weight of these taxes, the peasants were pushed to a point where they could barely live on what was left.
Our politicians hold the power of the government, as did Prince John, and the tax-paying citizens of the United States are the peasants. Like the peasants of the story, the taxpaying citizens relinquish a substantial and increasing portion of their earnings. Our politicians, indifferent to the plight of these productive citizens, live opulent lives, and openly flaunt a privileged status bought with these taxpayers’ money. And further like Prince John, our politicians employ their pilfered power to protect their positions. But possibly one of the saddest things is that non-taxpaying citizens empower governmental growth and heavy taxation of others in the hope they will get a cut of the redistributed wealth. These misguided citizens trade the American dream of creating their own wealth for the chance to receive the arbitrary alms of self-serving politicians.
But, then who is Robin Hood? Robin Hood is anyone who fights the system that either permits politicians to amass corruptible wealth and power, or excessively strips citizens of the fruits of their labors. Robin Hood is the reporter who puts personal politics aside to accurately investigate and report actions by politicians. Robin Hood is the Representative who insists on a government budget that taxes the citizens only as necessary and spends only as prudent. Robin Hood is the Senator who agrees to permit the closing of an obsolete government facility in his state. Robin Hood is the community group that seeks to get their message out through their members’ efforts, rather than from a government edict for “equal time.” And Robin Hood is every individual who finds a way to be productive; and then, with the proceeds from their own personal labor, chooses to purchase superior goods and services, and donates to causes they find worthy.
Our country needs more Robin Hoods. And a large band of merry outlaws, too. Join the struggle. Find your opportunity to take back excessive wealth and power from the government. Give it back to your fellow working serf. But remember to stay merry.
Craig Bohn lives in Kalispell