Should I quit?

I think I could have written your message virtually word for word because I felt the same where I work. It's very hard and very demorilising to feel like that, and it's even worse when the stress of the expectation gets to you, like it doesn't matter what you do it's never good enough, or they keep piling more and more on you. I don't think you'll ever lose politics as such, in whichever place you work, but don't let that be a negative thing, sometimes politics and discussion can be a positive thing especially if your comments are recognised. A lot of the problems come from the fact that try as we might, we won't always get on with everyone, that doesn't mean you can't work for and with them, but their overall style and your overall style don't match. That doesn't mean that either is wrong, it's just part of humanity. You should always be true to your principles, we all work as a means to an end, to get the salary - even in the most caring sort of job, at the end of the day that salary helps us live. Sometimes better the devil you know can work, things may change, but usually that will happen when the other people change, not necessarily that they leave, but that the recognise that there is a problem. Where I work I sometimes literally lose count of the number of people that have left, and it's not a big team. I have chosen to see if the grass is any greener, I am not naive enough to think that everything will be perfect, but I am willing to try something new in order that a change is often as good and anything else, because it can be invigorating, exciting, challenging, and enjoyable. Also hard work learning something new. Like you I refuse to brown nose my way to the top of anywhere, my work life is based on my belief and passion for the service being provided. Therefore I will share my knowledge, experiences and advice with anyone regardless of rank, I will talk to people without putting on airs and graces, I will be me, and true to my own core self, whilst being the best employee I can in the time I am working. I don't know if this helps you, but sometimes it's nice to know you aren't alone.