Don't the employers, corporations like Wal-Mart (though maybe not them in particular) and rich individuals, pay for the TV adverts that get the politicians elected? Sure in theory the public has the votes, but enough advertising will overcome that little hurdle, right? So can the politicians act against Wal-Mart and friends? Because then who will pay for the TV ads for the next election?
These are questions for you, but those are the problems we've got over here, except we've also got employee unions as well as corporations contributing. One possible solution is to provide government funding of political parties - sounds bad at first but, in addition to your vote, you get to decide which party gets your dollar or so from the public purse. Then the voter's votes, and subscriptions, are the only route to power.
Maine and Arizona are doing something like this for funding of state politicians. How's it working out, guys?
Andrew