SCS

I think buried in that quote is a sobering truth, but not with respect to the employees.

I wonder how many well intentioned, just, and worthy individuals decide against running for a national elected office due to the toxic environment. 

MLB analogy ... the farm system needs a better pool. 

The central problem with the statement -- apart from the messenger -- is that it casts a faulty, sweeping claim upon an enormously complex system. The US Government has stalled because of four decades of gerrymandering, distrust, and partisan posturing. But good people still serve in government -- whether at the elected or bureaucratic level.

DC does have a PR issue. I worked (volunteered) on two Congressional campaigns. One was a Republican and another was a Democrat (Dave Weldon). I only had small smattering of very brief conversations, but both came across as genuinely decent people, albeit with opposing social and economic views. 

I think another problem with the quote is that it very easily leads to the trap where you find yourself conjuring images of the side that opposes whatever your ideology is. 

Reminds me of an old West Wing quote from Leo McGarry. "Back in my day we called them the opposition, not the enemy."

We need some President Bartlett up in this joint!