We just watch.

I don’t think that’s accurate, and it became especially true in Chicago and Minnesota when the sensationalist nature of the events there forced the MSM to report on it. The issue here is that most people only have power at the local level, so unless you’re going full Luigi, the contributions you or I are making are local and not really notable. But they’re happening regardless.

please help me understand where my taxes go (without representation)

If you’re an American, mostly, your taxes are going to three things: The military and war, Social Security, and Medicare. Those are the big three things. The corruption you’re seeing is the result of entrenched legislators and political parties leveraging their offices to enrich themselves and the billionaire class, and their greed has no limit, therefore the people keep suffering more and more and it’s by design. There’s also no way to change it, because those in power are not going to vote themselves into less power. Your only power to make lasting change is local.