David Krugman's Robin Hood In Reverse

Tensions were probably already heightened because of the ruling elites’ misuse of their resources. They treated the workers poorly and made promises they could not keep. “Easter’s chiefs and priests had previously justified their elite status by claiming relationship to the gods, and by promising to deliver prosperity and bountiful harvests.” This system of belief was generated by creating false appearances designed to impress the masses. Elaborate ceremonies, grand buildings, and an abundance of food were utilized in this charade. Where did the materials come from? They were extracted from the workers and the commoners. Hmm…sounds familiar. Krugman’s example of “Robin Hood in Reverse” is certainly applicable here. America’s wealthy elite and
the American government fail to see that excess at the expense of the masses must eventually lead to their demise. Like Easter Island was isolated, they have isolated themselves from reality. Diamond states, “As their promises were being proved increasingly hollow, the power of the chiefs and priests was overthrown around 1680 by military leaders called matatoa, and Easter’s formerly complexly integrated society collapsed in an epidemic of civil war.” When the earth’s resources have been used up and there is no leadership to speak of anarchy ensues. So, why was nothing done?
First, they may have had landscape amnesia. In 1972, The Yellowstone River was a beautiful almost pristine river. Today, it is lined with condominiums and houses. People who see it today view this as natural. Second, greed and selfishness may have played a part. I want to have a big statue; I don't care if we have to cut down a few trees to move it from where we chisel it and where it needs to stand. Third, as previously discussed there was a lack of regulation. Fourth, again as previously discussed, there was an insulated elite class of society. They simply did not see reality as it was. Fifth, someone may have sounded an alarm, but because the negative effects were not immediate the people shrugged it off. We see that today. In fact this whole paper is an example of sounded alarms, but are the people listening. Sixth, the people may have felt that it was somebody else’s problem. We hear this all the time. “It's not my problem, I just work here. I just do what I'm told.” Lastly, the Easter Islander’s may not have had the resources to fix the problem. It may have been beyond their capabilities, was too expensive, or they were simply too late. Like Easter Islander’s, if America continues down this path there will be no way to escape our
fate.