Many years ago, a shocking news suddenly shook Swedish society and the whole world: the famous director Ingmar Bergman was arrested for tax theft while rehearsing at the state theatre! The police rushed furiously to the telephone to ask for help from Prime Minister Ulf Palme, who expressed his regret, but also his complete inability to intervene if it was a tax offence!
The dialogue, on this day, between journalists and Palme should be taught in schools all over the world:
Dem.: «Mercy, Mr. President! Bergman is our national capital. He shouldn't be treated like this.»
Go ahead: «The law applies to all citizens without exception or it applies to none...»
Dem.: «And, finally, Bergman is your personal friend...»
Go ahead: «One more reason. Everyone knows we're friends. So if it becomes known that as Prime Minister I am indulging my friends, how can I convince every citizen to be consistent in their obligations?»
It was a misunderstanding (accounting error). Indignant Bergman left Sweden. Ulof Palme's civics lesson remained - to teach the receptive ones forever...
