I have long been unsettled by the aphorism you relate here, 'power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely', but never really was able to refine my unease until just now.

I disagree with it because I see examples of good folks empowered that do not become corrupted by it. What I do see is that the corrupt seek power, so they can abuse it. I observe that power attracts the corrupt, and absolute power is seized by the utterly corrupt.

Yes I agree, it is a throwaway statement doesn't withstand scrutiny .. funnily enough, after I wrote that comment my friend called and told me that in the town where I used to live there is a mysterious multi-millionaire that has been handing out cash to the disenfranchised, he keeps his ear to the ground and if he hears about people in trouble, he has been posting money (in fairly large amounts) through peoples letterboxes, he has been hiding money in newspapers (just to put a smile on peoples faces), sticking out of cash machines and slipping it into OAP's bags. And then I return to your message .. thank you for the reminder, we all need it once in a while. :)