Outlawed by an evil sheriff, the brave, superlative archer and swordsman, dressed in green with his band of merry men – Robin Hood has been a part of the folklore for centuries. The self proclaimed king of Greenwood, Robin is no common criminal. As the famous saying goes, he robs from the rich and gives to the poor. The poor have little to fear from Robin Hood. His enemies are the rich and corrupt. In spite of being a law unto himself and using less than justifiable means to achieve his ends, the unanimous verdict seems to be that Robin Hood is an inspiring figure who did everything in his power to preserve justice.
But the tale has got twisted over time and the version that remains prevalent at present does not preach a very healthy idea. He is remembered, not as a protector of property, but as a champion of need. Not as a defender of the robbed, but as a provider of the poor. He was the first man who achieved goodwill by practicing charity with wealth which he did not own, by giving away goods which he had not produced, by making the rich pay for somebody else’s incompetence. He is the man who popularized the notion that need, not achievement, is the source of rights; that we don't have to produce, only the “want” of something is justification enough to demand ownership.
This has led to a scenario where the more a man produces, the closer he comes to the loss of all his rights. The efficient, productive, capable men are made to bear the burden of the rest of the society. Think about taxes. And in order to preserve equality and a nice sounding idea of justice things are just given away to undeserving folks who never stop begging for more. Think about reservations. Think about the numerous subsidies and loan waivers. They might be vital at times. But to what extent? Nowadays, the weak almost take it as their right to be rescued. They just take it for granted and make no effort to improve.
Until we learn that of all human symbols, Robin Hood is the most immoral and the most contemptible, there will be no real justice on earth.
*Adapted from Atlas Shrugged
Hmm I want to add a link here :
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The article is very disturbing indeed. "For Obama, the call is easy. His core constituency fervently believes that a 'just society' takes from the rich and gives to the poor." I had never expected this from America.
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