Why do some HOA board members think they are gods?

This is not meant to be an HOA bashing session as I have heard there are some great ones out there. I follow the rules (stupid or not) and try to get along the best I can. I am an owner and recently started attending HOA meetings due to experiencing on-going problems with the renters next door to me. Basically had to handle the situation on my own. Anyway, so far I haven't been impressed with this board. One of the members is a slum lord who is only there to serve his own interests. A few others are fossils and/or afraid to confront real issues. About 2/3 of them don't even live here. Some are just rude. They act like the are so important. What is it with these board members? Are they untouchable? I wonder if some of them have ever had a minute of fun in their whole life. I am considering trying to get on the board because I think some of the scum needs to be siphoned out. Anybody experienced a similar scenario? What did you do?