We live in an age when almost all our supposedly honest and self made heroes end up exposed as liars, grifters, cheaters, often with no shame and no consequences. The bad examples are coming from inside the house.
We must utilize and orient our moral compass consciously in accordance with universal compassion, or we are susceptible to the ravings of the powerful, who, as you accurately said, tend to be callously cruel liars who crave only money, power, and pleasure, at the cost of anyone and everyone.
Peace be with you.
"The Way goes in." --Rumi