UNDER the INFLUENCE.

The article discusses the influence of wealthy citizens on U.S. politics, noting the relative lack of influence held by poorer citizens. Topics include policy changes that would take place were U.S. public opinion influential in shaping legislation, the purported neglect of citizen interests by the Democratic Party, and policies enacted by the administrations of former U.S. Presidents Lyndon B. Johnson and George W. Bush. Responses to this discussion from people including author Larry M. Bartels, political commentator Matthew Yglesias, and political scientist Kay Lehman Schlozman are presented.