Robin Hood

The old description of  Robin Hood "stealing from the rich and giving to the poor" has - at least in my lifetime - been somewhat romanticized and viewed as something like taking the high moral ground, and perhaps rightly so.  But context is important.

In my understanding, the legend or mythology of Robin Hood is that he took back from oppressive and thieving "government" (royalty) some of the wealth or monies unrighteously taken from "the people."  This is quite different from the brand of "stealing from the rich and giving to the poor" that we have going on now in the U.S.  Redistribution of the wealth of people who have actually EARNED it to those who earn NOTHING (or very little) is quite different indeed.  In fact, the Robin Hood story tells of taking stolen or extorted wealth back from those who arguably didn't earn it, and were oppressing those who did earn it, reversing some of the damage.  More of that kind of thing would do us some good now in the U.S.

But as things are now, many elected and appointed officials in D.C. still seem intent on increasing taxes on the "rich" (those who actually PRODUCE wealth and create jobs) and giving that wealth to those who don't produce wealth or create jobs - after taking a substantial slice of that pie for themselves and their socialist programs.  This is really quite the opposite of the Robin Hood story.  But too few realize it.