2. www.demos.org THE AFFLUENT PARTICIPATE MORE IN POLITICS AND CIVIC LIFE

3. www.demos.org THE AFFLUENT DOMINATE THE FINANCING OF CAMPAIGNS

4. www.demos.org 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

5. “…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 www.demos.org THE AFFLUENT HAVE MORE INFLUENCE OVER POLICY OUTCOMES

6. www.demos.org WHO IS “THE BOTTOM THIRD”?

7. www.demos.org 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 Gilens Princeton Political Science Professor and author of Affluence & Influence

8. www.demos.org UNEMPLOYMENT & JOB CREATION DEBT & DEFICITS VS.

9. www.demos.org THE AFFLUENT HAVE DIFFERENT PRIORITIES

10. www.demos.org THE AFFLUENT HAVE DIFFERENT PRIORITIES

11. www.demos.org MINIMUM WAGE VS. CAPITAL GAINS

12. www.demos.org MINIMUM WAGE VS. CAPITAL GAINS

13. www.demos.org