There have been, as you put it, greedy jerks for as long as humanity has been around. Governments who have enslaved, since the ancient times; sacrificing, killing, all in the name of government or religion. War for land, resources, so on and so forth; murder and betrayal, destructive hatreds, humanity thinks itself on a high level, but in fact it's really nothing more than a more complex animal.
The difference is, we understand what we're doing and do it anyway. Seems dangerous. A smart, manipulative ape, who has a concept of higher mentality, and yet the desires and aspirations of an animal.
I'm fine. Big existential questions come and go when you have certain dreams. My dreams are... enlightening.