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No, you're not paranoid. I've encountered the same sort of rot before, myself. You don't have to be 55 to be treated like that. I've been told on a number of occasions that I was overqualified and/or too old for a job. Even though they're not supposed to do that, by law. Not that the government really takes any notice of any of the laws it makes. He got the job simply because he was younger than you, stupid and easily led. Despite his shortcomings, he'll be there a lot longer than you will and they can "guide" him into what they want him to be and do. You're less likely to put up with their BS simply because you have far more experience (especially life experience) and will say so if you feel or think they're trying to pull the wool over your eyes. Plus, they're most likely scared you're looking to take their jobs away from them, if the really big bosses see you're better than they are and actually make a smart decision to promote you, for a change. You're probably older and more experienced than your bosses and that's one thing they don't like...someone who can show them up or bring them to attention when they inevitably stuff things up because they're basically incompetent and should not be in the positions they're in (which seems to be the case with government jobs...promoted because they toe the line and "fit in").
Unfortunately, age and experience seems to be a not so highly sort after or well regarded asset these days. Hasn't been for a long time.
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