'That's exactly what it means'

That is exactly what is doesn't mean, the poster you are replying to has provided proof in the form of peer revied research.

You don't get to dismiss that based on how something should hypothetically work in an ideal world.

'That's actually the core premise of a representative democracy.'

Communism also has a core premice, that does not mean it's valid and holds in a given country today

"Elite cabal from a completely different species controlling the system in which we are slaves"

The same argument judtifies Feudalism

"when a political makes a decision in favour of an interest group, let's say steel production"

This is literally the dictionary definition of 'undemocratic'

And it also would justify Feudalism