It is not abuse, it is protection. You can pressure, bribe or blackmail people and force them to do things for you. If it is not possible to do what is asked there is also no need to ask. There is no need to take the job if there is not enough room to enrich yourself.

Like there is no need to rob a store if the clerk cant open the vault.

No, the problem is that those who don't play ball with their political machine's interests are shut out from opportunities to advance. Tammany Hall is a famous historical example that goes back much farther than the public has had as strong a voice as it does today, and though the faces have changed this is still how things get done.

The game is rigged at the level of who gets to stand for election, particularly in safe-seat districts that get decided in the primary. Very few people are able to get elected without help from their local political machine getting out the vote - enough to provide plausible deniability, but not enough to create an effective opposition.

Remember the monopsony of Sheldon Silver? He used his position to control which politicians would receive contributions for their campaigns, creating a network of people dependent on him for political survival. It's that kind of power broking that's the problem. The clear and present danger of entrenched power is why politicians must not be allowed a shred of privacy.

When you can give half your waking life to a billion dollar corporation and not even have the privilege of being able to pay for a roof over your head; yes.