My only point of disagreement is that this is not about power. They never wanted power because, as has happened, they could be held accountable for how they used it to govern. This was about the size of the grift, taking the taxpayer for an easy mark.
Power in the sense that they think they are better and superior to the ordinary citizen. They consider them selves better because after all THEY are in DC. It is the hobknobbing and partying and shoulder touching with those whom they think are important. It is corrupt and indecent. If you think that drunk Johnny believes that he is ‘just one of us’ you are mistaken. Internally he believes that we are rubes and unworthy.
IF George Washington were of this ilk he would have gone ahead and taken the kingship offered him. Instead, the humble man lead for awhile because he was needed and then he returned to being a citizen. Oh that those in DC would have learned from our great founders