This contempt for we, the people is not limited to elected officials. Here in Delaware, the perfect example is the Dept of Transportation (DELDOT). Their arrogance is best exemplified in the communty focus groups, where citizens give their input as to how they would like to be done, mess around for a year or two, and then do what they damn well please.
That is probably true everywhere. The arrogant “officials” do these sham meeting everywhere. In Montgomery County Freak State Maryland they limit you to just a couple minutes at any public meeting and will toss you if you are adamant and against what they want to do. I guess “they” know better than the unwashed.