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THE AFFLUENT PARTICIPATE MORE IN POLITICS AND CIVIC LIFE. THE AFFLUENT DOMINATE THE FINANCING OF CAMPAIGNS. RACIAL DIMENSIONS OF CAMPAIGN FINANCE.
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RACIAL DIMENSIONS OF CAMPAIGN FINANCE More than 90% of itemized 2012 donations came from majority white neighborhoods. Less than 4% came from Latino neighborhoods, even though Latinos make up 16% of the population. Less than 3% came from African American neighborhoods and less than 1% came from Asian neighborhoods. Source: Associated Press, 2012
THE AFFLUENT HAVE MORE INFLUENCE OVER POLICY OUTCOMES “…the preferences of the people in the bottom third of the income distribution have no apparent impact on the behavior of their elected officials. ” - Larry Bartels Vanderbilt Political Science Professor and author of Unequal Democracy
ECONOMIC AGENDA SHAPED BY THE ALREADY-WEALTHY “…the starkest difference in responsiveness to the affluent and the middle class occurs on economic policy, a consequence of high-income Americans’ stronger opposition to taxes and corporate regulation.” - Martin GilensPrinceton Political Science Professor and author of Affluence & Influence
DEBT & DEFICITS VS. UNEMPLOYMENT & JOB CREATION