I have already met senators who give you great faith in their humanity and decency, regardless of their political persuasion. No doubt I will also meet the other kind. People who do know better do abuse our trust. However, priests who defile children, lawyers who launder cash and politicians who lie have not yet, thankfully, destroyed our faith in our ideals. Ideals transcend humanity's failings.
Fallible priests are still part of the doctrine of aspiration.
Their calling does still promote love, faith, hope and charity. Those lawyers greedily approbating and reprobating over their victims are nevertheless part of a profession of high ideals. Their calling still does promote equity and fairness, justice and truth. Lying politicians feeding off ego and power are still part of our social and institutional drive for perfection. The role of politicians still is to resolve the tensions of society, to make the present better and the future safe and fulfilling.