They have too much money, and too much power.
That gives them reasons to be involved with all sorts of matters, never intended by the founders.
Interests from across the spectrum use government's money and power, to further their agendas.
Crony capitalists, and do-gooder social interests write most legislation.
Meanwhile the highways don't get maintenance, and the Keystone pipeline goes unbuilt, both of which involve jobs, for skilled people willing to work.
Attention along the border is for leftist social interests, where the jobs gained are for nanny-state do-gooders that work for govt. agencies.