Neeraj C. Nigam

Office sought: U.S. House of Representatives District 10
Party: Independent
Age: 55
Residence: Sterling.
Web site:
http://www.nigamforcongress.org
E-mail:
nnigam@nigamforcongress.org

Occupaton: Senior systems analyst/manager, CACI.

Education: BS, math, physics, chemistry, Delhi University; MBA, finance and marketing, Delhi University.

Elected offices/civic activities: Former volunteer, Inova Fairfax Hospital; Chitragupt Parivar; India literacy project; former member, former chairman, Kayastha Smaj.

Questions & Answers

Q: By summer 2011, it is predicted, Northern Virginia could be facing blackouts due to its growing demand for energy. Should Congress intervene now to prevent that possibility, and if so, what is the most important single step it could take?

A: YES IMMEDIATE INTERVENTION IS NEEDED. THE GOVERNMENT NEEDS TO PROMOTE INVESTMENT ON ALTERNATIVE ENERGY SOURCES LIKE SOLAR, HYDRO, WIND. NUCLEAR POWER SHOULD NOT BE ELIMINATED, INSTEAD WE NEED TO DO RESEARCH ON MAKING IT SAFER. WE NEED TO WORK WITH ENVIRONMENTALISTS TO IDENTIFY AREAS TO BUILD POWER GENERATION STATIONS THAT WILL HAVE MINIMUM IMPACT, AND ON WAYS TO MINIMIZE IT EVEN MORE. WE NEED TO WORK WITH EXPERTS IN THE FIELD TO ASSURE MAXIMUM BENEFIT FOR MINIMUM ENVIRONMENTAL COST. ALONG WITH THIS, WE NEED TO DRILL NOW FOR IMMEDIATE NEEDS WHILE WORKING FOR FUTURE NEEDS.

Q: What is the most urgent problem facing your jurisdiction?

A: Transportation. Our transportation problems are not being met in a manner commensurate with the tax base we are providing. We spend hours every day in traffic, time that could be better spent generating taxable income. While our government uses eminent domain to take private property for private corporations, it does nothing for our transportation infrastructure. We need public transportation now. We need better bus/train/metro service. Carpooling and public transportation needs to be encouraged with tax incentives. Public transportation also needs to be more affordable so there is an incentive to use it.

Q: What impact does immigration have on your district?

A: Legal immigration has a very positive impact. We are getting valuable resources we need by hard people people who are enriching our country with their heritage and who merge into our society for the betterment of our nation. Illegal immigration promotes dis-regard for the laws of this land, and encourages illegal behavior. These are people who are not here for the benefit of this country but to take what they can from it to our detriment. They take valuable resources without providing any input. They do not want to become Americans and have little regard for this country.

Q: Why should voters elect you?

A: As an independent candidate, I represent the Americans of this district and no one else. I work only for their benefit.

Q: What steps, if any, should the federal government take to address funding issues for transportation projects?

A: This is a government responsibility. We cannot hand it off to profit motivated private enterprise. We need to ensure that all funds collected for transportation are actually being used for transportation, with the bulk of it going to providing a better more efficient private and public system. We pay taxes for the government to provide infrastructure so that we can go about our business. Some of that tax money needs to come back for transportation as well. We need to encourage public transportation by making it more economical and effortless.

Your Thoughts...

Are you happy that the school year is over?