The correct answer to this open question is the following.
Were political machines during the gilded age bad for their communities, or were they necessary evil and a way for ordinary people to improve their lot in life?
I consider that somewhat they benefited in some aspects of the communities but the issue was that political machines were really interested in their own agendas and political influence. These political machines used the benefit of the community as an excuse or as a facade to cover their real intentions.
For instance, let's remember the case of the political machine known as Tammany Hall that gained so much power in New York City and exerted its power and control over politicians.