This is why Lenin emphasised a party with paid, professional cadre. Workers don't have the time and have responsibilities to others. It's not quite as bad as it used to be, but a professional core is still essential.

Join a party that's only moderately terrible, pay your dues.

As for Mao...it was arguably the least terrible century China has ever had, despite his errors. Most notably leaning too far into the KPAM's anarchist theory during the Great Leap Forward. (I like the KPAM but they had bad takes like anyone else.)