[whimsicalism]

The qualifications of most people in politics are not nearly as good in the US.

In the US, the private sector eats the public sector and leaves very few high quality candidates behind.

[srazzaque]

I believe that's precisely why the SG government choose to pay extremely well. They gain candidates with great credentials that otherwise will have gone to the private sector.

Also, having well compensated staff makes the ranks less susceptible to corruption and bribery.

[Ferrotin]

They also have hiring standards. The U.S. Government threw that out in the 70’s.

[atdrummond]

It would be illegal in the US to have the kind of hiring standards that would be effective.