To many trainers, and indeed many Electabuzz themselves, Electabuzz are seen as a pale imitation of the god Raikou, a fatter, less thundercharged pokemon which wishes it was amazing. It is only in darkness, with its whitish-blue glow, that it seems to channel the spirit of the pokemon thought of so often as its ancestor.
This perception of Electabuzz is completely wrong. Although not the equals of Raikou in battle, Electabuzz power civilization. Although it is a widespread myth that they crowd power plants to siphon off energy, in reality the relationship between power plants and Electabuzz is properly described as a symbiosis. Electabuzz feed off the plant's energy, but they also convert it into a more usable form, and the plant likewise reabsorbs electric energy from them before passing it on to the public.
Raikou runs across the plains of Johto, but Electabuzz power Goldenrod, and they are not worthless in battle either; their quick thunderpunches allow them to stand toe-to-toe with Hitmonchan in the ring. It was not solely because the pokemon TCG's creator had a beloved Electabuzz that he made them such a power in the early game, for they attack with a speed which dominates tournaments such as the Little Cup in the lower levels of play.
Perhaps they are not Raikou, but Electabuzz would be right to take pride in what they are, for in many ways they are greater.