The Poor and Democracy Quite often here on PF we see the usual commentary of how the poor simply vote themselves more money or benefits and the counter-argument generally puts forward the fact that the rich have a disproportionate influence on democracy. It would be interesting to test these differing world views. This paper seems to come down on the side of those who claim the rich have a major influence. In fact it shows that the bottom 10% have virtually no influence on policy in direct contrast to the red scare-mongers (who know who you are). I wanted to get PFs thoughts on this subject.
The whining from the wealthy about their faux "oppression" so utterly lacks any dignity OR basis in reality that it is very difficult to listen to, a grating on the nerves like nails on a chalkboard. Like hearing the the squalling of a spoiled brat that tantrums because it wants ALL the cookies after just having eaten MOST of them.
The wealthy have a lot more money to complain with, is the thing. The poor aren't ever going to be able to fund pundits to plead their case.
I wonder how much government money went to fund this obvious piece of research. Yes, politicians pay more attention to the rich than they do to the poor. That's not the issue. The issue is that the rich use their influence to gain unfair advantage against their competitors by bribing politicians to give them tax incentives and pass regulations that put other businessmen out of business. Obama, perhaps the most corrupt man ever to be President, has already dumped billions of dollars into the pockets of businessmen who then (*)(*)(*)(*) away the money on "green" technologies that have no chance of succeeding. I was a businessman, but I was not wealthy enough to buy Obama's favor and get my own share of the "stimulus" money he was passing out to his friends and cronies.
