Exactly. All systems need defenses against human nature. What the ancient republican systems lacked, the framers of the USC tried to make up for with new ideas and a new vision.
Systems do not corrupt people. That is the premise fo your whole thread, who is to blame. THose that corrupt. People corrupt not systems. Typical lefty answer. Create more regulation and government control and all will be solved. Wrong.
Aggressively culling the violators is the answer. That is done by:
Careful vetting of the candidates by the press and voters.
Holding Representatives and Senaotrs accountable in office.
Reporting abuses to leadership, followed by swift and appropriate enforcement.