From what you have said, your reactions are understandable. I think most people would have the same response as you. I've been in this situation at work, and your posts have really resonated with me.

You clearly care about what you do, and you are trying to operate in a professional manner. The problem is, in any work environment you are more than likely going to have a lot of people who are running to their own tune, their own agenda.

I've worked for really great and really bad bosses, and I've come to the conclusion that if you think you have a bad boss, and you've sat and looked at things objectively, then you have a decision to make: either move on, or if the jobs market isn't good, and/or you're tied to a location, then for your own sanity you have to detach from the situation and roll with what they are doing. This can be really tough though. I've been in situations where I have had to do this and it is soul destroying. It's especially worse if what they are doing is stopping you from actually doing your work.

In these situations, from experience, challenging this type of boss by going over their head usually ends in tears all around. I've rarely had a happy outcome. I know that's probably not what you want to hear, and other people will have a different viewpoint and different experiences.

Ultimately though, you are the best judge of what to do, because you're the one in the situation. Have faith in yourself, and in your assessment of the situation. Think about the options, and decide what is the best way forward for you. That said, don't turn yourself inside out while doing this. Don't over-analyse. Quite often there's no right or wrong way - there's just a way that you choose and have to plough through.

I have spent more time chewing myself up over my work and career, and now I look back (I decided to retire early in January of this year), I realise the only person I was damaging was myself. Often, whichever path I could have chosen, the outcome would have been painful either way.

It sounds like you work in Information Technology - I did too - so you have very marketable skills. Irrespective of what you do, if you haven't done already, have a look at the market place, see what's available and keep yourself informed and ready.