The more I think about it the more I realize that Robin Hood is my favorite folk tale legend. First, you have two awesome movies from the 90’s. How great were they? Actually, I do not remember a thing ab
out the more serious movie other than that awesomely cheesy Brian Adams song from its soundtrack. (Admit it, you love that song) But Men in Tights was hilarious. You had a Mel Brooks twist to a classic tale, the debut of Dave Chappell, and the blind dude who was also a teacher from Saved by the Bell. (Okay maybe I should have brushed up on both of these movies before I gushed about them, but give me a break. I am writing this without the internet access required to brush up.) Then you have awesome Old World names, places, and events. His name was Robin of Locksley. How sweet would it be if you were held to such esteem that you were the only person in your town worth mentioning? Combine that with Nottingham Forest, Merry Men and festivals and you have yourself a dime squad of a story.
But what I love most about Robin Hood is what he stood for. He stole from the rich and gave to the poor. He stood up for the weak, poor and, therefore, powerless against the tyranny of the Kingdom. I want to do the same, and I think that during these tough, tough economic times, the poor need Hoodian efforts more than ever. I realize that everyone, rich or poor, have felt the effects of this crisis; even Bill Gates has lost billions of dollars. But Bill Gates and the other small percentage of folks who possess a large percentage of our nation’s wealth do not take the same kind of consumption hit as the rest of us. Say Gates loses $100 Million (a number taken from the sky) of his wealth in investments, for example. He loses a healthy fraction of his wealth, but he will recoup this money when the economy recovers, and he can still afford to buy bread. Then there is me who has to seriously consider how much I can spend on groceries because the $50 or so I spend at the store seriously affects my ability to pay for my rent, my car loan & insurance, phone bill, etc. etc. The crazy thing is I have a college degree and work 40 hours a week. What the hell does someone less fortunate do?
Well they panic. I know this because I talk with them every single day. Their jobs are getting cut. They have to live with the all too realistic chance of having to starve or live on the streets. Their health care safety net is deteriorating as their clinics are closing and their insurance rests its neck under the guillotine of the budget. I understand programs will have to be cut, but is taking from the poor the answer? I don’t think so. Why cut health care when folks are losing their jobs and their benefits left and right?
In the meantime…I will continue my efforts to stand up for those that need it. I have been doing my part to play Robin Hood, but nothing radical. All within in boundaries of what our legal system allows. And certainly within the boundaries of what a democracy encourages, or at least is supposed to encourage. I really hope that does not sound self righteous.
