[antony_pond]

I believe this is where you get that view from the most optimistic side... Although I agree with you - election is all about electing the best Con man / woman , most decision are made behind closed door - government agency often have high responsibility non elected director - which is all about talk and politics.

I have myself - worked for several short term governmental contract - observed that the person at the top of the food chain in those department - don't get elected - and are often totally incompetent technically speaking. But are great at talking and doing politics. Anyone making them some shadow - or going against the established narrative quickly gets dismissed. They choose to promote ass suckers - because it makes their internal political life easier.

Once they get the seat - it is for life, they won't get fired - unless they get caught doing something really offensive, such as sexual abuse - or money laundering. But they won't get fired for making obvious mistakes...

And of course, they often have to promote the most incompetent individual - when promotion is due...

Maybe I didn't got lucky, and got to always land on that ** contract - but of what I have talked around - and observed in human nature + logic deduction, I believe this is pretty much everywhere the same.