Noting that it is the Socialist parties that want more money because "we need to have people intercede on their (the vulnerable's) behalf, beyond what the more mainstream parties may wish.”  This is total nonsense.  Socialist parties have shown that their ideology is what matters, not less well off people.  Those peoples' votes are only the vehicle to get them into power.  Why do you think the working poor in the UK are abandoning the Labour Party in droves? Why did the working poor in the USA abandon the Democrats?  Because they've seen that these parties no longer reflect their interests.