Much of what we perceive as calculated, masterminded operations of destruction could simply be the pathetic incompetence of a bureaucracy full of baffoons.

I actually worked for the government for about 10 years. I was surrounded by incompetent, lazy dolts. The smartest people don't say "I want to work for government and milk the clock for 30 years to retire with a government pension."

Smart people want to control their own business, their own operations, operate efficiently, be their own boss, and not have to punch a time clock and sit through Human Resources seminars telling them why the less skilled, less reliable, always late-to-work nigger or fat female cow with purple hair deserves the promotion and raise over them.

Also, in government work, you don't get promotions based on the value of your work. It's more about seniority. Years you've put in serving the government. The person who has been keeping the seat warm in the cubicle gets the raise and promotion over the newly hired bureaucrat who is 10x smarter and more productive. It was extremely rare that someone worked their way up the ladder in government. Prominent positions were filled with political meddling, consultancy, etc.