The term "Deep State" is exactly what you described here, and I think that we have evidence that it 100% exists.

In my opinion, the government that we see ruling us is the government that we are allowed to be mad at and have grievances with. I think that there is always the "optics" of what happens on the surface and what is portrayed to the public as well as a hidden hand beneath that handles the hidden ulterior motives.

Both probably involve the same people, (just like two sides of the same coin) between the public perception and reality. We see this same concept to a lesser / more obvious degree when we want a countries resources and we go there and say to the public that we want to go there to spread "democracy".

If something is operating in parallel to our government or above the government, none of us would have any idea because that would only be privy to very select few and doubt they would take any chances with common jackasses.

I agree that we have a big enough cancerous parasite right in front of us sucking us dry that we need to take action on to render it toothless.