tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35720139.post6788973482216047363..comments2023-09-10T07:39:59.348-04:00Comments on Caramelized OpiNIONS (aka RVA Foodie): VOP on NPR's Morning EditionRVA Foodiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16214920696412259243noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35720139.post-13611742002135138102009-01-12T15:29:00.000-05:002009-01-12T15:29:00.000-05:00Anon: I'm glad you responded about the tax-code an...Anon: I'm glad you responded about the tax-code and federal level activism of VOP. If there was one thing about that NPR coverage that wasn't accurate, it's the focus on VOP's participation in national politics. We generally don't do it. We're a grassroots group, working on state and local issues, and that's where we'll continue to focus. However, the Obama opportunity will probably be a great experience for those of our members who participate, and it was darned good press that will likely bring more people into civic engagement. When the dust settles, we're working for long term change in Virginia, period. And issues like health care are simply too big and too important to pass up. <BR/><BR/>As for the tax code, we set up committees to study issues and come up with potential solutions. Where our members want to know more about the tax-code, we do workshops. It's really important that people start to understand the disproportionate burden that poor people bear as Virginia generates its revenue. Now, getting the attention and sympathy of the General Assembly on that issue is another matter. Hopefully, if you consider the Obama election as a referendum on two divergent federal income tax plans, VA will catch on that we can find our funds in the bank accounts of those who can afford to pay, rather than cutting into regular people's monthly grocery expenses or essential services, like education.RVA Foodiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16214920696412259243noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35720139.post-90807819562584542902009-01-12T12:03:00.000-05:002009-01-12T12:03:00.000-05:00I am generally supportive of the VOP, but I think ...I am generally supportive of the VOP, but I think sometimes there's a disconnect between organizational goals and reality. For a rough example, it is great that VOP has spent time to educate Virginia citizens about tax issues, but in reality, the amount of possible actual solutions that gets considered is small and even then few if any ideas get brought before legislators. For VOP to now influence policy at Federal level is hard to fathom- which I think was the point of the NPR piece. That said, as I stated, I am a Green Party member who is supportive.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com