Senseq's Economic Stimulus Plan

As Barack Obama goes in to pass his bill for helping the economy, I have an idea I think can help us get back on our feet.

The problem with a bad economy is not that there is no money - its just that those who have money are sitting on it, and unwilling to spend. When everyone's saving money, it isn't getting passed around, and so people are not making any money to spend it.

Without going into details of economics - here's my idea in all its simplicity:

1. All wage earners should be given the option to earn more money - about 20% more - than what they are currently earning.
If they want to earn this extra sum, they need to agree to taking about 70% of their income in the form of gift cards or visa cards that will expire in a month's time.
2. This way, people can either decide to earn lesser and save. Or earn more and spend. They will still have the option of saving the remaining 30% of their income.
3. Some people may want to take advantage of this program by selling off these cards online. Well so be it. The money will still get spent.

Questions -
Who pays the 20% extra the people are getting?
The government and corporations giving the gift cards.
What happens if the gift cards expire?
Well - government coffers and corporate coffers continue to be filled.
How does this plan help?
Demand will go up for goods and services. People need to spend money - so people will have the opportunity to earn.

What do you think? Criticisms, comments?

Why so serious, son?

For some reason, I just can't get this scene out of my mind from Batman: The Dark Knight.

The performance by the Joker is terrific.

Outsourced - the movie

Outsourced

While browsing netflix for instant watching movies, I was surprised to see the #1 was a title I hadn't heard about- called 'outsourced'.

The topic of outsourcing has been one close to my heart- & I have always tried to view it from new perspectives- simply because of the ironies in it. An economy driven by competitive prices, seemingly killing itself by sending jobs overseas.

'outsourced' is a light-hearted look at this taboo topic.
The movie talks about this american call centre manager sent to india to train his replacement.
What ensues is a delightful comedy- with the underpinnings of job loss & the irony of the situation showing through.
The movie takes a look at indian culture and contrasts it with the western. Also, the sights and sounds of small town india are shown as is. No glossing over- though a little overdone in some parts for the drama.

The movie ends with an interesting twist, & is definitely an educational & entertaining watch.
A must see.

On Marriage

World - I cracked it. It just hit me.

Marriage is the leading cause for both - Death and Divorce!

When it rains... it pours

Today started of like just another day.
I had come into nyc to meet my doctor. And everything seemed to be going as per plan.
I had parted my car this morning at the shopping complex. Gone into town met my doctor l got to work on time & had an otherwise fruitful day
I wrapped up work and left for home & wrote a B log about my uneventful day.
But when I went to pickup my car I realised the day had just started!
My car, You see, Was not there.I then learnt that parking in the shopping complex was not permitted for outsiders and that I will have to cough up a hefty $180 for towing! Ouch!

Anyway, after fretting about it long enough, I slept- I had my toefl exam the next day.
Sure enough I missed the toefl the next day cos I couldn't locate the centre (gps dependency?)
So that was an award winning $350 loss in 12 hrs! Wow.

the day after the bad hair day

So yesterday went off in sulking!!
My roommates wondered ( as did I) why I was making such a big deal of such minor errors.
Well that's just me I guess. And I don't believe in suppressing my feelings - so be it an overreaction- its ok.
Today I walked into office with a bit of a sulk still on- but determined to do a good job.
My managers found another couple of issues! But I was quick to find out what was there was as per spec.
So while I didn't point it out- I did keep my head up high.
By the end of the day, I had solved several key issues & brought 2 projects to completion.
"thanks a lot" said two managers - "your'e most welcome" said I - with a smile.
There's another chance, I suppose, that comes along, to help you get out of a ditch you put yourself into.

But here's a thought- if happiness relies on outside successes, there's no guarantee how much one's going to get!

the techy's bad hair day

ouch.

a bug found in my code.
actually it was a change done long back, & there's no way to prove it really is my doing (& i'm ofcourse pretty sure it isn't!!)

well & so I graciously apologize for the minor bug. my fault or not.

but inside my stomach knots up. oh I hate a bug - & so starts a bad hair day.

next another manager asks me to re validate a task. oh gee- I find a difference between my previous validation.

sigh- a techies worst nightmare.
we live in a world of absolutes. either its a bug - or its not. either you goofed up, or not.

so I head home nœw. shamefaced. sitting in the bus & blogging my misery away.

oh well.
here comes my stop.