Don't discount the DC Galaxy Brain effect of senior advisors in Senators' offices too. For Durbin and many of those long in the tooth, they sit on powerful committees which is a plum for staffers' resumes. They form a perfect circle of dumbness and self-interest.

LinkedIn once recommended that I follow myself, honest to god.

Keep in mind these mass hiring sprees are thinly disguised money grabs intended to draw NSF and industry funding for bench science to eventually convert to lucrative tech-transfer licenses and to lock up IP/patents. Teaching is incidental. Faculty make money via consulting and board positions.

I'm sorry you're having such a tough time. Does your department have a communal kitchen? That's generally where the profs/instructors/grad students park their lunches. It may be hidden in an out of the way spot but the kitchenette should always be available to anyone: staff, students, and faculty.

"they need to show their work."

Hallelujah! Thank you for saying this. Instant follow.

I worked in restaurants during my undergrad studies in the mid-80s. It was the only way I could eat. Minimum wage <$3/hr + tips didn't stretch very far.