Exactly. Wherever perverse incentives exist, exploitation will inevitably follow. Just imagine how much better this country could be on all levels if we eagerly

Exactly. Wherever perverse incentives exist, exploitation will inevitably follow. Just imagine how much better this country could be on all levels if we eagerly stamped out these types of perverse incentives. It wouldn't even take a huge overhaul of the government: simply don't allow people to benefit from their own position of power. Such a simple concept, yet we keep moving in the exact opposite direction. Casually, it seems like this trend can be traced to our need for "efficiency", and the proliferation of business concepts into government and public institutions. Incentivize behavior that you want and you'll get more of it, etc. Makes sense in business contexts, but in public services it is detrimental.