A Proposal for a Web

A Proposal for a Web Introduction The proposition to utilize web-based credit approval systems to enhance the credit approval process is an appealing prospect for banks and other lending institutions. This is because the credit approval process is laden with risks that all lending institutions spend many resources managing.Advertising We will write a custom coursework sample on A Proposal for a Web-Enabled Hybrid Intelligent System Architecture in Support of Solving Credit Approval Problems in Banks specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The risks arise from poor quality information brought about by fraudulent applications, interagency nature of its collection and outdated information. By using a web-based system, the efficacy of the process will improve, reducing the process overheads and increasing the margin for the banks. It calls for the use of a system architecture designed to produce the best possible results from the analysis of credit applications. The re are a number of system architecture options to choose from in the process of designing such a system. Their typical composition includes, a database, model base and a user interface, which interact to produce the analysis report that decision makers rely on . They form the critical components of the Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems used for decision support. Burnside and Kahn (2004) identified the most common AI tools as, â€Å"Bayesian Network, Artificial Neural Networks, Case-Based Reasoning and Rule Based Systems†. In the case of a Web-Based decision support system for credit approval, the system must solve two problems. The first problem is the comprehensiveness and accuracy of information. This problem arises from databases in use because each database has its limitations. Some provide more wholesome information on clients than others. The second problem is in the procedural issues that relate to the handling of the information. The preferred solution encompasses, on one hand, a large data collection capacity that spans the entire internet, and on the other hand, a superior processing capacity of data for the availing of critical information credit officers require to make lending decisions. The system proposed to meet this challenge will utilize Bayesian system running on a web-based platform for frontline screening. It wil make possible the identification of clients with the best possible credentials for credit.Advertising Looking for coursework on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The second set of AI tools it will use is Rule-Based System and Case-Based Reasoning to identify potential for fraud. The third tool for it to use is the Artificial Neural Networks to provide massive fraud detection capabilities. Proposal of System Architecture Performance Specifications The required system must meet the following specifications. It requires the capacity to ha ndle a large volume of data. Data handling includes data acquisition and filtering. The security needs of the system will also require attention. The system should identify and flag incomplete or inconsistent individual applications to detect fraud and inconsistent applications. The third element that the system must have the capacity to handle is the ability to detect massive fraud. This stems from the possibility of the generation of multiple identities to defraud financial institutions. AI tools The proposed system employs AI tools at three levels. Bayesian Networks form the first level. They consist of a structure, a set of probabilities, and an inference algorithm, which forms the basis of operations. Expert input goes into the development of the inference algorithm. This makes it useful for frontline screening. A practical application of this AI tool is the separation of clients who have the characteristics that match those of clients with good relationships, from those whose initial conditions match clients with difficult relationships. This will help to weed out clients who do not bring in the potential for a good relationship with the bank. The second level consists of Artificial Neural Networks and Case-Based Reasoning systems. At this level the feature that it will have include the capacity to detect fraud by identifying similar patterns in new credit applications, which may be fraudulent. Artificial Neural Networks provide the basis for deriving relationships between various data sets. On the other hand, Case-Based Reasoning provides the capacity to compare fresh applications with the ones stored in the database. It provides the credit officer with the comparison of the two data sets ensuring that there is no repeating of mistakes made in the past.Advertising We will write a custom coursework sample on A Proposal for a Web-Enabled Hybrid Intelligent System Architecture in Support of Solving Credit Approval Problems in Banks specifically fo r you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The third level will comprise of Rule–Based Reasoning, which will allow forward chaining, and back chaining to analyze applications. This tool makes it possible for credit officers to determine whether an application will end up in a successful relationship poor whether it will end up in fraud. In addition, it can provide information that will make it possible for the banks to design its marketing effort by starting with the desired final conditions, and using the tool to generate the initial ones. Physical Architecture The physical architecture of the system will comprise of the standard computing equipment. There are a number of topology choices for the system. They include the star topology that links PC’s in an asterisk pattern, bus topology that have all the PC’s connected to a main network line, ring topology whose main feature is the circular interconnection of all PC’s using, â€Å"paire d physical interfaces† with other network equipment. Point to point connection applies when there are only two devices in the network, while point to multipoint applies when all the devices connect to a specific device. Schematic diagrams of star, ring and bus topologiesAdvertising Looking for coursework on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More For the system under consideration, the best system architecture will be a hybrid system featuring the bus topology, and the point to multipoint topology. All the computers used for analysis will connect to the bus while the main storage server will be at one end of the bus with a point to multipoint connection. The other connection and the end of the bus will be the internet server. In addition to the PC’s, the system will require a number of components that will provide the basis for utilization of internet search capabilities. This includes servers, switches, routers, hubs, and network cables. Protocol Architecture At the protocol architecture level, there is a choice of two protocol models. They are the TCI/IP model and Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) Network Model. There is widespread use of the TCP/IP model, hence it presents the least installation challenges, and has capacity for expansion and cross platform communication. All the layers that the OSI model has are i ncluded in the TCP/IP model. This means that there is minimum loss when using TCP/IP. Comparison of TCP/IP and OSI Model Layers Therefore, the proposed system features four artificial intelligence tools at the software level, the TCP/IP protocol, and a hybrid topology that includes bus, and point to multipoint topologies. The three elements take care of the software requirements of the system, the physical interconnection and the networking platform required for making the entire system operable. Selection and Justification of Software Packages The Business Criteria Business operations design their systems to achieve any number of business objectives that ensure that the business returns a profit. The two forms these measures take are increasing revenue and cutting costs. The proposed system will lead to increase in revenue by eliminating business uncertainties. It will do this by providing the bank with the ideal starting conditions in the lending process, checking it against the application brought in and based on the system, making appropriate judgments. With this system, the bank can quickly determine whether a particular credit relationship is worth pursuing in the first place. In addition, the banks will be able to work backwards to identify who its target customers are, therefore providing a greater degree of focus for its marketing efforts. On cost savings, the system will seek to eliminate fraud, which is a serious loss risk to the bank. This will protect the banks revenue and will ensure the bank does not incur the losses through fraud. This will improve the margin. Management Criteria The system will be labor intensive at the onset. It will require various experts and analysis to develop the AI components, while networking engineers will be the ones to install all the networking equipment. In addition, software programmers will develop the system and install the required user interfaces which the credit officers will use to access the system resour ces. The justification of all this effort from a management point of view is that it will reduce the effort spent in analyzing applications and related costs, such as litigation costs from fraudulent applications. Other management issues that the system will solve include better marketing strategy because of better identification of the target market. Technical Criteria, The choice of the system includes the best technologies available in terms of AI, the best physical topology that provides for enhanced functionality, and the use of TCP/IP, which is the most recommended networking protocol. This means that this is the best possible design given current state of development and limitations. In addition, elements like ease of implementation and maintenance come to the fore. Other considerations Other considerations in the criteria included in the system design include the security requirements of the system. As an internet based system, there need to ensure that the system is secure is high. Cyber security of the system should have a high degree of robustness because the system will face cyber attacks from different quarters. Explanation for the choice given The choices given for the above system take into account the need to implement a robust system that can handle the sensitive requirements of AI tools and to provide uncompromising performance required for the banking business. The business will not have much time for down time hence the software implementation must be such that it has minimum maintenance requirements, and performs its tasks well. System Evaluation Measures and Methods Fisher (2008) identified six measures that a proposed system needs to go through before evaluation. These measures include measurement of functionality, technology, software vendor, implementation, maintenance, and support, and the total cost of ownership. Functionality refers to the way the software fulfils its assigned role to it in the system. This calls for a careful compa rison between software options that can support the required system functions. The one selected and implemented must be the one that fulfils the functions assigned best. The second measure to consider in the evaluation of a software option is technology. Technology refers to the degree of congruence and compatibility with the programming platform and the database in use. This means that the software option chosen should be able to work well with the systems carrier platform and the form of database that it will interrogate. It also calls for settling for software that in-house staff members are familiar. It is also prudent to pick software that will operate well within the rest of the organizations systems. The third major issue to consider during software evaluation is the degree of support that the vendor will provide after the implementation of the software. It is crucial to know whether the vendor will provide enhancements and additional support after selling the software. Fishe r (2008) says that when someone buys software from a vendor, he is not just buying software, but he is establishing a relationship with the vendor. The fourth major consideration during software evaluation is implementation. Again, the vendor is critical. The idea is to find a vendor who will provide support to the implementation team and continue providing support during the entire implementation phase to ensure that the implementation team handles all technicalities. The next issue that is critical in the evaluation of software is support and maintenance. While having in-house staff to maintain the system is a good practice, the need for a relationship with the vendor where they provide upgrades and regular software check is very critical. This stems from the fact that the vendors provide a wide range of software solutions to different clients. They therefore have a wider experience with the systems operations and functions. It makes them uniquely qualified to find holes in the sy stem and to close them up in their entire software range before they cause any real damage to all their clients. Finally, there is need to have in mind the total cost of ownership when evaluation software. The costs here include cost of licenses, cost of maintenance and cost of upgrades. Fisher (2008) recommends looking at these costs over a five to seven year horizon to determine the long-term costs of implementing the software. In order to ensure that the entire project achieves the objectives, the need for the application of good IT project management skills will come into play. The project will require organization into stages marked by relevant milestones. This will make sure that there is adequate preparation and implementation of each stage including testing to achieve the set objectives. Conclusion The process of implementing a web enabled hybrid intelligent system that supports credit approval process in banks has several bearings. From the discussions presented above, we c an conclude the following. A strong business, management, and technical case for implementing software project to address the credit approval problems that banks face, exists. The business case is that it will reduce overheads by improving the efficiency and certainty of the approval process. It will also reduce losses associated with fraud and will make it possible to cut back on litigation costs arising from defaulting, thereby reducing overheads. From a management front, the system will reduce the overall business management requirement of the system by taking up the work required to process applications. Finally, the availability of the AI techniques to implement this system makes it technically viable. The system will use a combination of AI tools to achieve the goals. These techniques include Bayesian Networks, Case-Based reasoning, Rule Based reasoning and Artificial Neural Networks. The arrangement of these tools will be to provide the best result for the functions since eac h has its strengths and weaknesses. Use of TCP/IP as the most appropriate protocol architecture will bring in the benefits of easy linking with various information networks found on the internet Security concerns will form a key aspect of the implementation process because the system will operate on a web-based platform. This will expose if to cyber attacks hence the need to invest in cyber security for the system. In order to evaluate appropriately the suitability of the software choices, the system will call for the application of several measures. These measures include functionality, technology, software vendor and implementation. In addition, it will require taking into account maintenance, support and the total cost of ownership. These elements necessary for the implementation of a web-based decision support system that will provide a solution to credit approval problems that banks face. Reference List Burnside, E.S. Kahn, C.E., 2004. Artificial Intelligence Helps Provide Dec ision Support in Radiology. [Online] UBM Medica LLC Available at: diagnosticimaging.com/cme/display-cme/article/113619/1173862 . Evans, T., 2011. Improving Your Credit Rating. [Online] Available at: thisismoney.co.uk/credit-rating . Fisher, C.R., 2008. 6 Key Software Evaluation Criteria. [Online] Available at: http://ezinearticles.com/?6-Key-Software-Evaluation-Criteriaid=1784790 . Hill Associates, 2002. Telecommunications: A Beginners Guide. Berkeley: McGraw-Hill/Osborne. InetDaemon, 2011. InetDaemon: Real training for Internet Professionals. [Online] Available at: http://inetdaemon.com/tutorials/networking/index.shtml . Leotta, J., 2011. Credit Approval. [Online] Advameg, Inc. Available at: referenceforbusiness.com/encyclopedia/Cos-Des/Credit-Approval.html . Lewis, M., 2010. Credit Rating: How it Works and How to Improve it.. [Online] Available at: moneysavingexpert.com/loans/credit-rating-credit-score . Microsoft, 2011. TCP/IP Protocal Architecture. [Online] Available at: http:// technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc958821.aspx . Oesterreichische Nationalbank, 2004. Guidelines on Credit Risk Management: Credit Approval Process and Credit Risk Management. Vienna: OeNB Printing Office. Power, D.J., 2002. Decision Support Systems: Concepts and Resources for Managers. Westport CT: Greenwood Publishing Group. Servigny, A. Renault, O., 2004. Measuring and Managing Credit Risk. Illustrated ed. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Professional. The Computer Technology Documentation Project, 2011. Network Layers. [Online] Available at: comptechdoc.org/independent/networking/protocol/protlayers.html . Zopounidis, C. Doumpos, M., 2011. Decision Support Systems. [Online] Available at: referenceforbusiness.com/management/De-Ele/Decision-Support-Systems.html .

Should Use of Cell Phones while Driving Be Banned Essay

Should Use of Cell Phones while Driving Be Banned - Essay Example â€Å"inattention blindness† wherein motorists look directly at the road condition but don’t really see them because they are distracted by the conversation. Reactions of teenagers and young adults who talk on cell phones while driving are compared to slow elderly driver. For instance, the report carried by Hanes Stephanie, said†¦ Brandie Eadie, 16, (photo at left) looked down on her cell phone to read a text message as she drives through a rubber cone course in Seattle. †¦ Eadie knocked down multiple cones meant to simulate pedestrians. Same source reported killing of a 12 year old boy in an automobile accident because driver was texting. There should be a law banning cell phone use while driving. Senseless deaths and damages to properties due to cell phone use while driving should be stopped. While there are already 19 States in the U.S. that banned this practice, there is no uniform law that puts an end to it. There ought to be a law banning cell phone use while driving because there is sufficient evidence that drivers who use hand-held or hand- free cell phones are as dangerous as a drunken driver. The three year study of University of Utah, headed by Professor David Strayer, found out, that â€Å"people are as impaired when they drive and talk on the cell phone as when they drive intoxicated at the legal blood limit.† Clearly, a person puts the lives of his passengers and his own to a great risk when the driver uses a cell phone and drive, and impairment is just the same. Whether it is hand held or hand-free cell phones, still the University of Utah holds the view that it still causes accidents because driver tends to slow down while conversing, â€Å"or 19 percent... Senseless deaths and damages to properties due to cell phone use while driving should be stopped. While there are already 19 States in the U.S. that banned this practice, there is no uniform law that puts an end to it. There ought to be a law banning cell phone use while driving because there is sufficient evidence that drivers who use hand-held or hand- free cell phones are as dangerous as a drunken driver. The three year study of University of Utah, headed by Professor David Strayer, found out, that â€Å"people are as impaired when they drive and talk on the cell phone as when they drive intoxicated at the legal blood limit.† Clearly, a person puts the lives of his passengers and his own to a great risk when the driver uses a cell phone and drive, and impairment is just the same. Whether it is hand held or hand-free cell phones, still the University of Utah holds the view that it still causes accidents because driver tends to slow down while conversing, â€Å"or 19 percent slower†, then resumes speed thus causing a crash. Their study showed rear-ended pace car accidents, where drivers were all talking on the phone. Drivers should be able to use cell phones while driving, provided the phones are not handled. While we have settled that use of cell phones while driving should be banned, there are circumstances that use of cell phones in the car is a necessity. It is needed for effective communication of households, businesses and community and use of cell phones in the car becomes as important.

Music Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 7

Music - Essay Example Moreover, it should be of very high popularity among listeners and performed by various artists over the years. Race music refers to all recordings produced and performed by African American musicians for African American spectators while hillbilly is an old-time music presented by and for southern whites (Starr and Waterman 109). According to them, both terms are used to distinguish and promote music of the south. These are used by the music industry to provide â€Å"racially segregated markets† because racial isolation was still not considered to be illegal during 1954 in United States (Frith, Straw and Street 259). Race records and hillbilly both incorporated popular music in their respective genre. Music was even used to separate the whites from the black. Although some would take it negatively, the blacks used the term race to refer to the African-American people. Twelve-bar blues progression is a very common form of blues. It is a twelve-measure long. It is a standard rhythm with three four-measure segments (Vincent). This progression uses three cords: â€Å"the Tonic (I), Dominant (V) and Subdominant (IV)† (Bennett-Lovsey n. pag.). It commonly has a three-line pattern of lyrics, the AAB pattern, with first two lines repeated or almost the same, and the other one is a response to the previous lines. Austin defined big band as a musical group presenting and performing jazz, which came out to be famous from 1930s to 1940s. It normally has brass, woodwind, and rhythm instruments with almost twenty-five musicians. The rhythm section of the big band is composed of keyboards or piano, synth, guitar, bass, and drums. Often times, percussion instruments are also added such as tumbadora or congas and bongo drum or a pair of smaller and larger Afro-Cuban drums, guiros, and vibraphone (Austin). Austin further added that rhythm section serves as the band’s stimulus and is very important to the band and to

Low Voter Turnout in the United States Essay Example for Free

Low Voter Turnout in the United States Essay Throughout American history, there has been a steady decline in voter turnout. Not only has this been humiliating for the United States, low voter turnout has been and always will be a threat to American Democracy. The concept of democracy is dependent on citizens actively participating in elections and voting to select representatives for public office. The government cannot be representative of the people, unless the people elect its representatives. Voter turnout is a major indicator of how citizens view their electoral system, and whether or not they believe that the system is working. There are numerous factors that impede voter turnout, including: citizens political attitudes, demographic factors, and the structure of the electoral system. The established registration process is one of the main causes of low voter turnout in the United States. Unlike many democracies, the United States places the burden of registration on the individual (Vanishing Voter, 7). There are no penalties for citizens that do not register or vote in American elections. Some propose that requiring citizens to vote and imposing penalties on those who fail to do so will increase voter turnout. The dilemma with this proposal is that it is fundamentally undemocratic. Citizens of democratic societies are promised the right to vote. In guaranteeing the right to vote, citizens are guaranteed the right not to vote as well. There are better solutions to the problem of low voter turnout in the United States than enacting compulsory voting laws. America has not established a national system of automatic registration; procedures for voter registration differ from state to state. A universal system of voter registration would make it much more simple for people to vote. The problem with this solution is that automatically registering people to vote does not imply that they will actually go out and vote. Six states have enacted a good solution, same day registration, which has been proven to increase voter turnout anywhere from 10 to 17 percent (Donovan, 182). Same day voter registration allows qualified citizens to register to vote on the day that elections are held. Because many states do not allow same day registration, many Americans do not take the time and effort to register in the first place; same day registration helps to solve this  problem. The registration process and electoral system also creates a problem of convenience. Not only is the registration process inconvenient, Election Day itself is problematic. Election day is held on a Tuesday, impeding the majority of the population from voting due to work-related duties and responsibilities. The solution for this problem is to make Election Day a national holiday. If citizens did not have the responsibility to be at work, they would be much more likely to find time and take the effort to go out and vote. Other solutions have been offered, including: extending the voting period, enacting absentee ballot systems, and voting by mail. While all of these other solutions have made it easier, cheaper and more convenient for citizens to vote, the costs do not fully outweigh the benefits. In any kind of early voting solution, the biggest concern is that early voters vote without knowing all of the significant information needed to make a well-informed vote. Many occurrences and revelations come at the end of the campaigns and can no longer influence voters that have already voted and cannot change their selection. A voters political attitude is the biggest indicator of whether or not he or she will vote. Interest in the election, concern over outcome, feelings of civic pride, and political efficacy [all] affect how people vote (Wayne, 83). Throughout American history, there has been a decline in partisan identification. Party allegiance is a stimulus for voting. Since citizens are not as loyal to partisanship as they were in the past, they have less incentive to actually go out and vote in elections. As a group, independents are 12 percent less likely to vote than are strong partisans (Wayne, 83). Along with the decline in party identification, interest in political campaigns has been declining steadily overtime as well. In todays society, politics is forced to compete with so many other things in the media or at home for peoples attention. Media audiences are more interested in human-interest and celebrity stories than they are in politics. Because of this, election coverage in the media has greatly declined. The medias coverage of the election is dominated by the use of  negative advertising and attack journalism. The frequent use of negative advertising in the media has played a role in Americas declining voter turnout. These negative advertisements repel potential voters; causing them to lose interest in the political campaign. Along with negative advertising, the lack of competition between candidates has also decreased political interests and led to low voter turnout. Low political efficacy has greatly reduced voter turnout in the United States. Voter efficacy is the belief that ones vote counts and that voters can change the way government works or public officials behave (Wayne, 83). There are many factors affecting voter efficacy, including education and income. Income plays a major role in voter turnout. With the expansion of poverty in the United States, the gap between the rich and the poor is steadily growing. Citizens of lower income typically have lower voter efficacy. They are also less concerned with the outcome of the election than citizens of higher income levels, therefore, many of these people simply choose not to vote because they feel that they will not be affected by the outcome of the election. Income, education, and likelihood to vote are all positively correlated; more educated citizens have higher income levels and are much more likely to vote. Education is the greatest influence on voting behavior. It provides people with the skills for processing and evaluating information; for perceiving differences among the parties, candidates, and issues; and for relating these differences to personal values and behavior (Wayne, 83). The more educated a citizen is, the more interested they are in the election and the more concerned they are with the outcome. Educated citizens also have a great sense of civic pride and higher voter efficacy. All of these factors combined lead to a much higher likelihood of a person to actually turnout and vote. To increase political education, some propose conducting citizen education campaigns. The goal of these campaigns is to educate the people on the benefits and responsibility involved with voting. The main problem with this solution is that it is easier said than done. It is very hard to persuade  nonvoters to take the time and make the effort to educate themselves on the reasons why they should vote. A better way to increase education and voter turnout is to encourage grassroots campaigns. These get-out-the-vote campaigns help motivate interest in elections with nonvoters and can influence them to vote, increasing voter turnout. Neither conducting citizen education campaigns nor encouraging grassroots campaigns can promise an increase in voter turnout, but both can help influencing citizens to vote and possibly lead to higher voter turnout in the United States. Low voter turnout is a big problem in the United States. According to Wayne, Low turnout suggests that people may be alienated, lack faith in the candidate and parties, think that the government is and will remain unresponsive to their needs and interests, and believe that they cannot achieve change through the electoral process (Wayne, 85). The voter turnout problem is very hard to solve because low voter turnout itself leads to less voting. The numerous factors that impede voter turnout include: citizens political attitudes, demographic factors, and the structure of the electoral system. Some of the impediments are structural, but the most influential impediments are caused by other factors, such as the media, political campaigns, and the American citizens. Overall, the benefits of increasing voter turnout greatly outweigh the costs of doing so. While some proposed solutions may work better than others, it is most important to change voters attitudes about politics and make it more convenient for Americans to both register and vote. Higher voter turnout will reverse the relentless cycle of low voter turnout and help lead to a more representative democracy. Bibliography 1. The Road to the White House 2008. 8th edition. Stephen J. Wayne. 20082. Reforming the Republic: Democratic Institutions for the New America. Todd Donowan and Shaun Bowler. 2004

Elian Gonzalez :: essays research papers

At this point, it probably doesn't make much difference if or when Elian Gonzalez is finally extricated from the clutches of his Miami relatives. The damage has already been done. In 10 or 15 years, Elian's much-discussed psychic injuries will or will not have manifested themselves in some regrettable way, but we'll just have to wait and see. And when we get the news of his inevitable breakdown, we'll sit around and tsk-tsk, trying to remember specifics of the half-year melodrama that brought Elian so relentlessly into our homes and water-cooler conversations. Chances are we won't be able to remember exactly what the arguments were for keeping Elian here or for sending him home. Instead, we'll remember media-crafted images, because that's what this whole case has been about. There's no legal or emotional logic; there's only the mind-numbing parade of made-for-television snapshots: The self-righteous Miami Cuban-American community, chanting and mugging for the cameras; the indignant lawyers; the self-serving talking heads and the political posturing. If we're really lucky and concentrate hard, we'll remember the bemused expression of the little boy himself. Who do we have to thank for this montage of manipulation? The media, of course (yours truly included). What began as a human catastrophe (refugees drown at sea, motherless boy picked up by kindly fishermen) has been turned into something far less redeeming than a circus. When this fifth-rate soap opera began, there was talk of various positive, if peripheral, consequences. Could this little boy's plight push the U.S. government into a more reasonable relationship with Cuba? Would there be a heartwarming and speedy reunion between Elian and his father? Might the members of the American media be able to act like adults and take this for what it is: an intensely private family tragedy of a little boy lost? In retrospect, we should have known things would be bad. Elian's damp arrival on our shores interrupted a couple of spectacularly slow months in the nation's newsrooms — there was nothing to hold us back, so we stampeded down to Miami with our microphones amped and our camera lights blazing. Six months later, according to the media mavens at Newswatch.org, Elian has become the most covered media object since O. J. Simpson, surpassing JFK Jr. and even Diana in network stories. Various networks and CNN have cut a deal with the Miami relatives allowing cameras into the house, should INS officials or federal marshals finally make a move to retrieve Elian.

Wajdan

It will took some time and need some sacrifice from the public in the shape of tax paying. The observation of Finance Minister Ishaq Dar is right that the economy of previous year was running itself. His enthusiasm to put the agenda of PMLN programme of his party as Laptops, Ashiana and other housing schemes, Nandipur Power Project, M-4, 8 and 9, Karachi Circular Railway, Prime Minister's Youth Training Programme, Prime Minister's Youth Skills Development Programme, Small Business Loans Scheme, Fee Reimbursement Scheme for Less Developed Areas, Prime Minister's Micro FinanceScheme, continued provision of funds for parliamentarians under a favoured name and the Ramazan Package. With all this, the development budget goes up by as much as 50 per cent. A big issue of Budget the not increasing the salaries of Government employees also resolved. Finance Minister Ishaq Dar today announced a 10% increase in the salaries of government employees. The newly formed government had earlier decided against increasing the salaries of government servants for the first time in nearly three decades.Now, The federal government's decision affects up to 650,000 federal employees and more than two million provincial government mployees. The finance minister said that the new government has taken tough decisions because the aim is to move in the right direction from the very beginning. He said the government needs to ensure that GDP grows enough to support the swelling population. The Finance Minister Ishaq Dar said the government will save Rs40 billion because of the cuts in expenditure and austerity measures taken in the latest budget.The PML- N government announced it will not keep more than 40 ministries in order to curb expenses. Dar, in his speech, also announced that all discretionary funds previously vailable to federal and state ministers will be abolished. Moreover, the PML-N government has also decided to abolish the Peoples Works Programme-II – the head used for the premier's discretionary spending. According to Dar, however, Peoples Works Programme-I, which allots discretionary funds to all members of Parliament, has been retained.The cuts in current expenditure still leave a revenue deficit of 1. 2 per cent of GDP. With the addition of the proposed Jump in the development budget, the PML-N government will be the first in the history of the country to start with a working fiscal eficit of 6. 3 per cent, financed by costly domestic borrowing. It is likely to end up with a much higher deficit, given the piecemeal nature of the tax measures announced.Reliance on withholding taxes has been increased and specific and discretionary measures have been proposed rather than reforming the tax regime. In our tax culture, reducing the corporate tax rate and increasing the maximum rate for non-corporate businesses may not encourage corporatisation, but it will certainly closing at another record high, driven by blue chip stocks. Investors welcomed the ew budget where the government announced a cut in corporate taxes by a percentage point and pledged resolution of the circular debt issue in 60 days.The suspense over the timing of a government request for an International Monetary Fund (IMF) bailout finally ended when Finance Minister Ishaq Dar said a new package will be negotiated but on Pakistan's terms. Pakistan does not need to rush to the International Monetary Fund. The issue is to convert the present net outflow of resources into a net inflow. In parallel with austerity imposed on the current budget, nothing except the higher taxation of luxury ehicles has been announced on the import side.Privatisation and access to international capital market have also been mentioned. I think concerted effort can end circular debt in the short term. The main thing is underlying causes to see a permanent end of this deficit. Reforms announced to improve the performance of the mismanaged public enterprises, especially railways, require politic al will for implementation. Much more needs to be done than granting autonomy and placing the right man or woman on the right Job. If these steps will taken sincerely this nation will get finally releife in some years.

Tantrism Essay - 1455 Words

There are many religions that share various common beliefs and philosophies. On the contrary, there are other religions that are on the opposite side of the spectrum, all with their own distinct beliefs aside from the majority. As religion is considered a controversial topic, Tantrism is among one of the most eccentric religions. It is considered an interesting religion due to the fact that sexual experiences play large roles in the process of redemption for its followers. A simple definition for the Tantric religion would be the fundamental belief that Tantra is a cult of ecstasy, focused on a vision of cosmic sexuality (Rawson, 7). Even though the religion is based on sexuality, Tantrism is a practice involving many different†¦show more content†¦As the practitioner of Tantra unites with the cosmic energy through their sexuality, they also learn to direct and control this energy in order to put it to use in other rituals and practices within the religion. The energy, once aroused, is harnessed to rituals, meditation and yoga, turned back up within the human energy-mechanism, and used to propel the consciousness toward blissful enlightenment (Rawson, 30). To transcend this world and unite with the cosmos is a step to achieve enlightenment. Thus, sex is a logical solution in achieving this goal of self-enlightenment. Since these sexual experiences propose a different goal aside from reproducing, the rituals are also different. Unlike informal sex or even the close tied bonds of marital sex experienced in everyday life, Tantric followers take these sexual experiences much more serious. The male penis and female vagina are worshiped as deities; the god Shiva and goddess Shakti are often associated with these sexual organs, respectively. Thus, before sexual intercourse, rituals and flowers are often offered to these sexual organs. Also, many positions are practiced as it enhances the act of love (Rawson, 34). Tantric sex is much more involved. Sex is not regarded as sensation, but as feeling; attraction is not appetite, but the `meeting of eyes; love is not a reaction, but a carefully nurtured creation (Rawson, 87). Beliefs of Tantra include the celebration of both life and creationShow MoreRelatedBuddhism, Buddhism And Buddhism1371 Words   |  6 Pagesthe commitment of our whole life energy to he lping others as much as we can, and in as many ways as we can, to alleviate their suffering and to support their health and happiness. This Vow is the central principle of the Mahayana Path. Tantrism is a extremely complicated subject. It s been portrayed as an different journey to enlightenment. This journey alone, demands extreme concentration through special rites of initiation. 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