Poll: Stealing from the rich to give to the poor.

[Timmey]

Recently I saw the new robin hood, and to a certain extent RDR, and it got me thinking, is it right to steal from the rich to give to the poor? So I put the question to you. Is it morally acceptable to steal from the rich to give to the poor, or is stealing always wrong?

 

[PurpleSky]

It's wrong if you all have had the same chances in life.
*EDIT*Robin Hood is an good example,that's why he's famous:do crime for a good cause?Yes please.

 

[Danzaivar]

Depends how much you steal, really. This is probably going to explode into a political debate btw.

 

[Arkhangelsk]

No, it's stealing, which is a violation of one's rights. I may sound heartless, but just because somebody is less fortunate than me doesn't mean I need to pay for it, when I've done nothing wrong and earned the money for myself through my own hard work.

Don't get me wrong, if I see a poor bum on the street, I have money that I myself don't need for me and my family, and I can trust that the bum will use it wisely, I will make a donation. But to steal, even for the "right reasons", is still stealing.

I think the big question is "Is it right to steal from honest rich people?", i.e people who earned it fair and square. In that case, no. If they didn't earn it, they are thieves themselves.

 

[Onyx Oblivion]

Nope. The rich earned their money, leave them alone.

 

[Ekit]

Stealing is always wrong. But i think big economical differences is wrong too.
The rich should give to the poor.

 

[Timmey]

Nope. The rich earned their money, leave them alone.

If they hadn't earnt that money? I suppose that is a different question though

 

[Arkhangelsk]

Nope. The rich earned their money, leave them alone.

If they hadn't earnt that money? I suppose that is a different question though

That is a bit out of context. We can only assume that the rich worked for it. If they didn't earn it, they are the thieves. That's an entirely different story.

 

[benylor]

Depends on the rich people to be honest. There's certain people who I'd say were valid targets.

 

[Arkhangelsk]

Stealing is always wrong. But i think big economical differences is wrong too.
The rich should give to the poor.

In a system where the Robin Hood system doesn't exist, we can only trust in that rich will help. I hold out hope that there are kind spirits among the wealthy.

 

[Blackadder51]

No, stealing is stealing

 

[Kollega]

It depends entirely on how rich earned their money. If it's a result of honest work - then fine, they can keep it. But when "steal from the rich, give to the poor" situation comes up, most of the time the rich in question have acquired their riches through less-than-honest means. In that case, i think it's pretty okay.

 

[tomvw]

Stealing from the rich and giving to the poor is actually not going to do anyone any good, neither the rich nor the poor. Besides, isn't that what taxes are supposed to be for? You know, in a perfect world.

 

[Revolutionary]

Depends how rich we are talking about.

 

[Ironic Pirate]

Well, it depends on how the money was earned, and how much was taken.

 

[ace_of_something]

In the context of robin hood where the people are pointlessly taxed in to poverty and starvation so the king and sheriff could make statues of themselves kickboxing the devil.... yes, it's okay.

In most real world situations. No, it's not okay stealing is wrong.

Off topic: You know how often people will call the police and openly tell us that someone stole thier illegal drugs?
Whatever you're thinking it's more often than that.

 

[Keepitclean]

Nope. The rich earned their money, leave them alone.

If they hadn't earnt that money? I suppose that is a different question though

That is a bit out of context. We can only assume that the rich worked for it. If they didn't earn it, they are the thieves. That's an entirely different story.

What if they inherited it?
People who inherit things have a right to not have them stolen.

 

[Arkhangelsk]

Nope. The rich earned their money, leave them alone.

If they hadn't earnt that money? I suppose that is a different question though

That is a bit out of context. We can only assume that the rich worked for it. If they didn't earn it, they are the thieves. That's an entirely different story.

What if they inherited it?
People who inherit things have a right to not have them stolen.

If they inherited it, it's the fair trade from the owner, to whomever he wishes to give it to. If the original owner didn't want his descendant to have it, he didn't need to give it to him.

And if the will wasn't written before his death, the inheritance should still be given to the closest relative, because they are the closest to inherit. If I am to speak out on how wills should work, the family should be a circle of partial owners that will inherit in the case of death, but not own it without the consent of the original owner otherwise. If his will, however, says that it shouldn't go to the family, that is not a last wish, that is a contract of "X is now the owner".

 

[The Thief]

It's not a question of morality; Theft is always morally wrong, no matter the situation. But that doesn't change the fact that it's fun to do, so long as you're not careless enough to get caught. It's also a great way to get free stuff, or so I've heard.

In Robin Hood's case, he is doing something morally wrong for a noble cause, so it is really a question of whether you believe the end can justify the means. I personally do not believe the end product negates the injustices taken to achieve it, but it does make it easier to live with yourself.