This is a result of management's unwillingness to admit putting too great a load on me, and in turn blaming me when failures/delays occur.
I've heard this over and over again. WTF is it with these government employed management people that makes them such petty freaking little dictators? I have a good friend in the same kind of situation working for a government agency. The boss is a self centered little control freak who retaliates against perceived threats via negative performance reviews. I never have and never will work for government.