This is actually a great comment (..mostly) but it's not really about influencing the politician as your right $1500 shouldn't be able to do that and lets be fair here.  Politicians are influenced all the time as others pitch ideas they like or dislike. Somewhat different than being bought or in the pocket of.. 

Anyway,  It's about gaining privileged access to that representative rather than going thru the normal channels.. enabled by the party as it pimps them out to fill it's coffers. Pay-For-Access means something very specific which some seem to be confusing with something else.