How much power do they have?

A lot. In thinking about that answer, any large organization, one as large as our government, has to have lots of compartments. Many, many, leaders, managers and workers. Leadership does not always reflect the organization...especially when that leadership rotates every 2 to 4 years. Different parts of the organization do not reflect other parts.

Most organizations have a few people who have been working through two or three, sometimes years worth of leadership changes. These guys are the real go to guys and gals. If I wanted to get something done, I wouldn't go to the leadership, I'd go to them.

That's power.

But at the same time, if they were paid nothing, you can bet they wouldn't do it anymore.

That's not the test for whether someone's in it for the money. The test is whether they could do the same amount of work somewhere else for more money, and they don't.

You are right Joe - I meant politicians - see what happens when you rush a post cuz its christmas.