Does power corrupt, or can only corrupt people achieve power?
There are roughly three ways anyone can achieve power.
1. Become a politician and be elected to a position of power.
2. Become active in a Union and be elected to a position of power.
3. Work one's way up the ladder in industry and lead a powerful corporation.
Of course, if you have sufficient money can become a backroom wheeler and dealer.

All of us have, at some time or another, demonstrated that we not 100% honest. We've taken a pen from work, called in sick when we really just wanted a day off, accepted that some "perks" came with the job.
If we achieved more power, through any of the ways I've listed, would we think that even better "perks" etc. just automatically came with the job? Eventually, after reaching positions of great power, would we have become just as corrupt as those we presently disdain?

Alternatively, would we find that, in attempting to achieve power, through the same ways, we would need to be corrupt in order to advance?

Another variation on the nature-vs-nurture discussion.

If we achieved more power, through any of the ways I've listed, would we think that even better "perks" etc. just automatically came with the job? Eventually, after reaching positions of great power, would we have become just as corrupt as those we presently disdain?
While I'm no expert, certainly the ones I've known personally to "make it" highly up the ladder have been comfortable with the "perks" and even thought up new ones to enjoy. No matter how good intentioned they may be on the way up, I've also not seen any that survive who were not "shits" to begin with. One example might be the ex-President Jimmy Carter - one helluva nice guy, acomplished statesman, well respected, well educated - yet essentially a do-nothing President.

Does power corrupt, or can only corrupt people achieve power?
I believe that people in positions of power understand that they have the ability to abuse their power and to get away with it.

There are a couple factors which I feel make people more or less willing to act in an ethical way. #1 is respect. If I respect someone I will treat them fairly, if I do not respect them I will be less likely to act fairly with them. Second is risk. If someone could rob a bank with 100% chance of getting away with it, most people would do it - even more so if they have need of money, which is my third factor. Need of money, protection etc... Guilt is another factor - one is much more willing to steal money from corporations or business entities, than from a person. Especially if they could see the effects of their theft on the person (stealing from the poor for example).

There are roughly three ways anyone can achieve power.
1. Become a politician and be elected to a position of power.
2. Become active in a Union and be elected to a position of power.
3. Work one's way up the ladder in industry and lead a powerful corporation.
Of course, if you have sufficient money can become a backroom wheeler and dealer.

I think you are vastly underestimating the power of money. With money you can run a campaign to be a politician or a union leader. You can affect politicians and 'buy' ballots. Money is the key factor (and a pretty face).

All of us have, at some time or another, demonstrated that we not 100% honest. We've taken a pen from work, called in sick when we really just wanted a day off, accepted that some "perks" came with the job.
If we achieved more power, through any of the ways I've listed, would we think that even better "perks" etc. just automatically came with the job? Eventually, after reaching positions of great power, would we have become just as corrupt as those we presently disdain?
I think this depends on if you respect the people who would be hurt by your actions, if you think you could get caught, if you would see the effects of your actions on those people and if you have a great need for the money (which is doubtful, since you're already in a position of power).

Alternatively, would we find that, in attempting to achieve power, through the same ways, we would need to be corrupt in order to advance?
There is no need to be corrupt in order to get power. I know that I am a fair and generally just person, but I'm not going to kid myself - if I could rob a bank and be 100% sure that I could get away with it and no one would know it was me, I would do it. If I was in a position of power like those politicians, situations similar to robbing a bank would likely occur (bribes and 'perks'), and I don't know how I would act. It is easy to say I would be fair and just, but a suitcase with a few million sitting in front of you is not easy to refuse.

Saw this on a sign once...

"Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely, but it rocks absolutely too"

It's more than just a funny saying....

If one truly was a student of history, the key would revolve around obtaining power through anonymous means or simply desiring ‘power’ to which others cannot ‘understand’.

i've seen way too many people start out with the best of intentions of helping people, the environment, society in general when seeking office. but after a year or two in office, suddenly all that changes.

It's a Catch-22 situation. The people in power are the people who want power. And those are exactly the sort of people we need out of power. What we need are those who don't want power. Unfortunately, they don't want the power...crazy.