Analogies

GunShowOnTheNet compares the rights thieves to termites:

They are an infestation that works unceasingly at nibbling away valuable structures. Causing untold damage and harm.

That works. I've also seen them compared to a cancer.

Me, I've taken to thinking of them as AIDS--interfering with the body politic's ability to defend itself against infection.

No analogy will be perfect, but their use may be helpful. You wouldn't think about compromising goals with an insect infestation, or with a deadly infection.