Varma became intimately acquainted with big government policies in Philadelphia two years ago when the Commerce Department shut down her and a business partner’s green-building proposal to revitalize vacant land in the Kensington. Varma witnessed the mismanagement of taxpayer money first-hand, stating, “I thought the city would welcome a green project, but a taxpayer funded program –The Industrial Empowerment Zone –stood in our way. It has failed to bring industry back, and succeeded only in blocking a project which could have helped the community and supported private business.” For Varma, The Industrial Empowerment Zone program is just another example of how big government impedes progress and hurts ordinary Americans.

Tags: elections, 2010