A disturbing stat I heard recently

[zipplewrath]

5. In a strange way

Those in the lower income categories have more of a "vested interest". As you say, the upper brackets have alot of influence outside of just voting. They can influence the debate. Their spending patterns influence market patterns and investment patterns.

But the lower classes have VERY little influence outside of voting. They have little disposable income to influence market patterns. They tend to be more influenced by, rather than dictating, market patterns.

It's why unions really need to move into the 21st century and start representing workers in more ways than just collective barganing. Unions, and various other forms of cooperative organizing are one of the few ways outside of voting that the working class can influence markets and investment patterns.