I think it's more accurate to see the government's primary function as deciding who gets what sinecure, not accomplishing things. I would wager that's the histo

I think it's more accurate to see the government's primary function as deciding who gets what sinecure, not accomplishing things. I would wager that's the historical norm. Your list of failures, among others (homeless industrial complex), make much more sense through this light: they're all wealth transfers to political friends.