Modern Day Robin Hood

Most of us are familiar with the story of Robin Hood, whether it be the Disney adaptation with foxes and snakes or the classic: Robin Hood steals from the rich and gives to the poor, making friends and impressing the lovely Maid Marion in the process. 

In a society where income inequality, the gap between the rich and the poor, is growing domestically and globally at unprecedented levels, what we need is Robin Hood. And it is easier than it seems.  Modern day Robin Hood would merely increase the wages of the world's lowest paid workers to a level at which they could sustain their families above the poverty line. Since most of the work in developing countries - where the lowest paid workers live - is linked to the multinational companies, which are also the world's richest companies, with the highest paid CEOs, the wage increase would carry through all the partners in the distribution chain and, assuming companies would not pass the full increase on to consumers, which granted is a huge assumption, result in lower profits at multinational companies.  Now, you may be asking what kind of person would voluntarily take a pay cut just to improve the situation of people half a world away? The answer is Robin Hood - someone concerned with with justice and fairness and who believes in the power of one person to make a difference. Someone who isn't afraid to face the Sheriff of Nottingham - modern day shareholders, business owners, partners, or someone who is afraid, but in true Robin Hood style, doesn't let the fear paralyze him.   

The best part of the whole thing is that most people high enough up in a multinational corporation to make this type of decision are usually in a financially secure position which would allow them to continue to experience a very high quality of life (domestically and globally) even if they chose to make such a radical change. Whoever would make such a choice would probably be in a position to make up the profit he or she chose to forgo by writing an inspirational book and becoming a inspirational speaker. And if that person was really Robin Hood, the money would go straight back to the people who need it most. Think about it.