Any other social servants (government employees) bothered by their bosses (appointees of an elected official) who often know nothing about the business of the organization?

Where I work, we refer to ourselves as the “B” team (as in “We be here when you get here and we be here when you leave”). All we want to do is complete the functions of our respective jobs but find ourselves constantly hamstrung by the latest appointee who wants to “make an impact” or “improve things around here” before they ever bother to learn what we do. Then we pick up the pieces when that party leaves and start all over when the new party comes to power.

This has got to be one of the most ineffective aspects of government that I have ever seen. What do you do to cope particularly in an election year? As an employee it makes me nuts, as a taxpayer it makes me furious.