What is it that drives people to be exactly like the oppressors once they manage to get into a position of power?

The power itself is what drives them. The people you mention crave power and money. That's ALL they care about, and each one would sell out their own MOTHER, in exchange for more power and more money. They are the absolute worst people on earth, and the worst we could have in our governments, and they and their ilk have held their positions in our governments for over 60 years. If we're to protect our precious freedom, it'll take more than talking about it. We MUST fight for our freedom or we will surely lose it.