That there was even such a thing as "the levee board", and that one could gain a much-coveted seat on it, and thereby
be considered to have "arrived" politically, shows just how wayward and corrupt the system (not just) down there has become. It is after all only a model for so much of entrenched bureaucracy---these "boards" are political way-stations for politicians scrambling on the way up. Their mandate *seems* to be to *do something*, but in fact, there is no mandate besides the self-congratulation that comes to and from one political hack to another at having got "a seat on the board": the position therefore is seen as an end in itself, forget about what the actual function and mission of the board was. THIS is what politics has largely become in our country---it's a wonder we survive it. THESE ARE NOT PEOPLE WHO WANT TO SOLVE PROBLEMS---THEY ARE POLITICAL HACKS.
I've tried to explain that to several people and they stare back blankly, as to say. "So what?"