Lobbyists- Most of the folk who lobby Congress are either attys, or those who were in Gum't "service" before going to the private sector. To believe that our Gum't has not been corrupted by the process is extremely naive.
We started with the best form of gum't, but what we have today is only a mirage. There is no control, by the people! The old addage of "follow the money" is the key.
The corporate interests, and the "special" interests they represent, are the most compelling reason to look to making changes in the tax system. Everyone wants to get some advantage for themselves, and their interests. IMO, It won't ever happen until we go to a different tax revenue system, and find better ways to monitor spending.
Isn't it amazing that a Fedrool Dept can overlook billions of dollars, and not be held responsible fo accounting! I guess they would find too many corporate jets and yachts, as "assets" being charged off!
Depending on how far back you want to go -- we actually started with a hybrid of a corporation/government, then evolved into democracy. But that's neither here, nor there.
However, there is a bottomline -- the people are responsible for the actions of their government. That is to say, we should take as much responsibility as pride in the U.S. And so far we've done a pretty good job.