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Thursday 23rd 40F, very dark overcast with light winds. More grey and more wind expected. Hardly any wind on my brisk walk to the village and back. Nothing much to report either. The drainage ditches have returned to winter normal. No more brown, rushing torrents for the moment. The field puddles are shrinking again.
Denmark has won the global competition to be the least corrupt land according to Transparency International. Despite some recent, high profile setbacks, Denmark maintains a highly independent judiciary and news media. Freedom of speech is considered important and frequently costs the taxpayer millions to protect the more outspoken.
Perhaps it has something to do with the Scandinavian ethic. You don't hear much about buying personal justice here. Which is extremely commonplace elsewhere as an automatic entitlement of wealth.
Denmark usually gets the highest marks for "Happiest People too." The low levels of inequality probably helps here. It was a shock to see how well dressed people were on average even after living in wealthy Bath. The Gravely Blighted looked like a nation of total scruffs in comparison. Tradesmen enjoy a uniform code which raises the overall standard.
There does not seem to be the universal criminality of Gravely Blighted. Where if something is not fixed down it is considered fair game. This makes for a much more relaxed existence. When we first came here there were rural garages left wide open all day long with power and garden tools on display. Garden are often decorated with masses of children's toys and lawnmowers are often left out. They never seem to disappear.
Wealth was actually looked down on for a very long time in Scandinavia. Enshrined in the unofficial, Jante's Law of equality in everything. Including maintaining universal, village idiocy. Most women work. Which means a more equitable economic and social system. Plus higher overall wealth with two adults earning very similar pay. Holidays and rights to time off are generous and well established.
There is strong union representation amongst workers. Wages are agreed rather than being constantly fought for with strikes. The unions will actually go around building sites checking for Danish compliance with nationally agreed wages and conditions. Though there is an ongoing battle with foreign subcontractors maintaining slave wages and conditions. Even on prestige government projects! One loophole, allowing foreign, slave wage and conditions, lorry drivers to work in Denmark has just been closed.
There does not seem to be the universal criminality of Gravely Blighted. Where if something is not fixed down it is considered fair game. This makes for a much more relaxed existence. When we first came here there were rural garages left wide open all day long with power and garden tools on display. Garden are often decorated with masses of children's toys and lawnmowers are often left out. They never seem to disappear.
Wealth was actually looked down on for a very long time in Scandinavia. Enshrined in the unofficial, Jante's Law of equality in everything. Including maintaining universal, village idiocy. Most women work. Which means a more equitable economic and social system. Plus higher overall wealth with two adults earning very similar pay. Holidays and rights to time off are generous and well established.
There is strong union representation amongst workers. Wages are agreed rather than being constantly fought for with strikes. The unions will actually go around building sites checking for Danish compliance with nationally agreed wages and conditions. Though there is an ongoing battle with foreign subcontractors maintaining slave wages and conditions. Even on prestige government projects! One loophole, allowing foreign, slave wage and conditions, lorry drivers to work in Denmark has just been closed.
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