Agreed. But let's not just single out the 'rats. The government is so big today because both parties have been in on it; not just the 'rat party, but both establishment parties. Establishment politicians not only don't listen to constituents, they pay no heed to the constitution itself. And SCOTUS? Please. They're the worst bunch. Rewriting the constitution on the fly. Isn't that how we finally got Obamacare?
Why do you think BOTH parties are intent on destroying Cruz, Lee, Palin, etc.? Because they are the only people who stand between them and one-party, authoritarian rule, in Washington, DC. They liked the autonomy they had to do as they pleased before the internet and that nasty ole Tea Party brought some people to DC who are actually doing what they told the voters they were going to do... what a novel concept - run on doing something and THEN do it. That is called principle. Few in DC have a clue what this means. Just as in the 1850/60's there was no difference between the Democrats and the Whigs today there isn't a scintilla of difference between 99.9% of the Democrats and the GOP.
Like Andy said - it isn't the money that corrupts. IMHO it is the lack of term limits for everyone that has corrupted the system. People like John McCain have no life outside of their jobs in DC and they will do everything short or murder to keep their jobs (and maybe even murder given this bunch of crooks).