Instead of just doing what I want to do, I'm stuck either doing plumbing work to hold my values and pass them around, or I'm casting things back and forth where I know things are correct but the compiler doesn't.

I hate this attitude.

Instead of doing what you want to do? Dude, unless you’re a hobbyist, you’re being paid to do what your company wants you to do; i.e., it’s not about what you want.

Stuck doing plumbing work? Yeah, nobody likes plumbing, but we all know it’s necessary. When you’ve got your proverbial shit backing up onto your floor because you cheaped out on plumbing, cry to me then.

If you’re casting things back and forth, you’re doing it wrong. Spend a day or two and build yourself a solid, consistent foundation, plan ahead, and you won’t be casting things back and forth.

And no, you obviously don’t know better than your compiler, you arrogant sack of sh…

Anyway, get over yourself already and just do your damn job better.