I still believe for most that political survival comes first (their very choice of jobs suggests they enjoy political power the most), but it is certainly reasonable to believe that for some at least it is important to not bite the hand that might feed them later. Of course, for those that cynically follow this route, citizen lobbyists will be ineffective. Still I hope that a Senator as corrupt a corporatist as fictional Senator Joseph Harrison Paine of "Mr Smith Goes to Washington" is more the exception than the rule. I am aware of the inadequacy of current regulations (
http://www.opencongress.org/wiki/Revolving_door_regulations)
But as I stated, these people (Reps and Senators) most often have the greatest love for political power, and hate to lose elections (i.e. they only retire when defeated), so I think that we the people still have quite a bit of leverage with most. However, there's still another problem.
I suspect a larger problem is that with geographical representation, the congressional representatives often do represent the majority view in their district. And in many districts, esepecially across the South and Mountain states the citizenry is still lost in adulation for the pure free market solution to all problems that is the most damning legacy of Ronald Reagan.