So much "expertise" in our over-regulated economy is not really expertise at all, but just experience navigating the bureaucratic maze. And, as you said, the maze was often created by the ones selling their "expert" services.

That's why I'm suspicious of GDP numbers. If the economy is growing because of lawyers, bureaucrats, and compliance officers, is that really growth? (No offense to lawyers)

I don't know what plebs can do about this, if anything. Attempts to lessen government power never seem to go anywhere, because the cold hard truth is that that isn't what the people want. They want more government power, just exercised in ways that suit them.