I agree that your vote is for a host if interlocked interests, but there ARE instances of individual politicians who managed to be fairly independent and make progress and reform their major concerns.
   Remember that the infamous Joe McCarthy was replaced when he died by William Proxmire, who became one of the most honest and hard working Senators in history.

"Proxmire holds the U.S. Senate record for consecutive roll call votes cast: 10,252 between April 20, 1966 and October 18, 1988. "


"In his last two Senate campaigns of 1976 and 1982, Proxmire refused to take any campaign contributions, and on each spent less than $200 out of his own pocket — to cover the expenses related to filing for re-election and return postage for unsolicited contributions. He was an early advocate of campaign finance reform."

I could add others, but suffice it to say that there ARE some folks in office who struggle to do things right.