Sorry, my generalization was meant to be specific to technical jobs in the government (with the exception of NASA and DARPA).
While I don't dispute the auditor is performing a vital function for the government and loves his job, the role of a technical person and auditor cannot be compared. In his case the government supplies the auditor with more than just a salary and security, they provide him power that can't be had elsewhere.
For a technical person, the government is the hole you go into to die because you no longer love what you do.
Oh, I don't think that's true. My dad worked as an EE for the Navy for 35 years, and he got to do cutting edge stuff with sonar, oversee computer installations on submarines, etc. And then he retired at 61.5.
No...he isn't a 'tax collector' - he is a head auditor for a region of the country. He has caught some Superman 3 style schemes at major institutions. He really is doing a great service because he is incredibly smart and hard working and chooses to use those skills in the public sector.
What would making more money provide him? He has his dream job and job security.
A friend is an auditor for the gov. He routinely gets offers for 5x salary from clients he is auditing (illegally).
Why does he do it? Because he loves what he does. He feels he is doing something necessary and honourable for his country.