Havens From Hypocrisy
Many wonder why the late British actor, author, and raconteur David Niven was never knighted. After all, many show business people of far less distinction got their “Ks” – indeed, these days it seems every so-called “celebrity” gets one if he lives long enough.
More to the point, there was never a more patriotic celebrity than Niven...
The outbreak of World War Two found him in Hollywood, where he had only recently attained the status of leading man, after arriving penniless and slowly working his way up through the ranks of the extras and “best friend” supporting roles.
Niven did not hesitate. His own father had died in action in World War One and he had himself held a regular commission in the peacetime British Army before resigning to try his luck in America: he never questioned his duty to return to the colours.
He turned his back on his career at the moment of success, and, with some difficulty, travelled home to Britain, at his own expense, in order to enlist.
In doing so, he gave up the rewards for which he had struggled for years and was only just beginning to enjoy, offended some powerful people in Hollywood, and risked being sued for breach of contract.
To be honest, the danger to his career – which was indeed badly damaged – meant little to him, because, remembering his father’s fate, he had a premonition that he was going to his death.
Still he went.
Indeed, he seemed to court death. He tried first to join the Royal Air Force – to take part in the Battle of Britain. Unsuccessful in this attempt, he settled for the special forces, training at the infamously tough Commando school and serving on the front line after D-Day.
Unlike many celebrities who later found themselves in uniform, he could describe from first hand experience the sound a bullet made from the target’s position.
Should any further testimony to his patriotism be necessary, it comes from no less an authority than Winston Churchill:
“Young man, you did a fine thing to give up your film career to fight for your country,” the Prime Minister told Niven, before adding a typically Churchillian qualification: “Mark you, had you not done so – it would have been despicable.”
Niven’s only reward for doing his duty was... a gigantic tax bill.
The bureaucrats cared nothing for Niven’s noble reason for returning to Britain. All that mattered to them was the fact that, in returning to Britain, he had become a British resident and was therefore liable to British income tax.
Niven had to return to Hollywood to earn the money to pay his British tax bill. Having done so, it is understandable that he never wanted to be put in the same position again. He moved to Switzerland.
It seems that this ultra-patriotic Briton was never given a knighthood because some bureaucrat objected to his “tax exile” status.
Those who make snide remarks about tax exiles today should reflect on Niven’s story.
It begs the question as to who is being “unpatriotic” – the tax exiles, or those who force their fellow citizens to live abroad by imposing unreasonable tax demands?
Vice President-Elect Joseph Biden has said that paying taxes is “patriotic”
...which would not go down well with those who founded his country in 1776 as a protest against unfair taxation.
No, to make a fair and reasonable contribution to the common good is indeed patriotic – but to permit unreasonable demands is not the act of a patriot who defends freedom but the mentality of a slave.
Indeed, by voting with their feet against unfair taxes, the exiles are perhaps protesting on behalf of us all – including those of us who would like to pay less but cannot afford to move. In that they are more patriotic than those who impose excessive taxes and then whinge when others are reluctant to pay them.
About the Author:
Guy Kingston produces and presents the Mind Your Own Business podcast, offering free business advice to entrepreneurs and business owners. As well as audio podcasts there are more articles like this, compelling videos and a must-read blog. All at http://www.myobpod.com or you can network and join in discussions on the MYOB Facebook group (http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=12117784275).
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