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I'm a parent with 1024. Here is our story:

We did not do very well, AT ALL, last year. Because of that and the cost of events, the team decided that they would go to the Midwest to see how the robot would work. We did not expect to win and the team doesn't really have the funds to attend mulitple events. 1024 sent a skeleton crew to Chicago and parents organized to send food with the kids to cut on cost. Parents also carpooled the crew up to avoid the cost of a commercial bus.

As an Indiana team the Boilermaker is one of the main events for us. Again because of cost, a local event is only the cost of the event. No hotel stays, no restaurant bills or commercial transportation costs. The kids and the parents pay for any of the extras... not the sponsors.

We were at the Buckeye, only because we had already paid for it, no refunds. Again parents got together and provided food and help.

For the Championship; The team set up some pretty strict criteria for travel to Atlanta. If you didn't fundraise a certain amount of money you didn't go.

Additionally: Other teams get a chance when they are picked as part of an alliance. At both the Buckeye and Atlanta there was proof. 1024 picked 1386 and then we subbed in 2048. 2048 is in it's second year of FIRST and granted they weren't originally picked, they were high enough in ranking to sub into the finals. 1124 picked 177, because as the team captain stated (not quoting) that the points & ranking don't always show the quality of a team.
To say that the winning bots are out to squash the little guy is just not a fair stament.
Bottom line... if you are trying to say that teams with money get more chance to win. I think someone else also said, that it isn't only the robot ability, it is the mentors, parents, coaches, and students (and believe me a LOT of luck) who have the heart and drive to try to achieve what they want.....
Which, if I remember correctly, is Dean Kamen's goal.