Why do people always assume this? Makes it easier to sleep at night? Do the various government agencies pay that well? I would say the smartest people are ei

Why do people always assume this? Makes it easier to sleep at night? Do the various government agencies pay that well? I would say the smartest people are either doing research for universities or making big money in the banking industry. I can't think of any reason that the best ones would find themselves working for the government of all places.