SansAnhedral,
Your beliefs are interesting, and many seem to be based on zero facts! Also, the more than a little conspiracy theory nature of those beliefs makes you suspect as a pilot flying passengers. Those who think we have money to burn spending millions on vehicles that we don't think will work are way past crazy.
Fear not, as flying passengers (unless you count the odd bug-smattered windscreen) is not my meal ticket
But I digress. Nobody claimed that the aircraft "wouldnt work", but we all know that the program we are referring to is intended to "drive requirements" for a future program of record. To present an aircraft that is deficient in a category like cruise speed hardly qualifies as a reason not to try and influence your customer that his requirements are out of bed, and your product is still best for the job.
Having been a part of as much of the S-92 program as you were, surely you can attest to the politics involved in these sorts of things.