I spent nine months working (and arguing with everyone from my HR Director to our Organization's "CFO" and "CEO") trying desperately to improve the benefits (and costs of the same) we offer to our employees.
My motivation was pure - I honestly cared about our employees and did my best to give them benefits that surpassed anything we had to offer for a much better price.
My Director, however, continually questioned whether or not my efforts were really worth the time and trouble. He did nothing to help me (and actually caused a serious delay in the process), and when the concept was finally completed and everything was in place to transfer over, he took all of the credit!
The final insult came when he explained to me that it was my job to make him look good, and intimated that I had finally come thru.
I, too, share the ugly view others have of HR and then some... I also apologize for those working in HR (I do hope they are the minority although somewhere deep inside I know better) who give what should be a source of refuge for mistreated workers such a bad name.