The handicap principle is quite the reverse on both points.My experience, for honest, ambitious people who want to improve, you get a handicap, improve and as Wabinez and Captain Black mention you win on your way down.
I cant begrudge anyone that.
I can begrudge the perennial 18 handicapper who wins twice a year, always off 18. Whether they mean it or not, they are gaming the system...
Winning on your way down is against the spirit of hc competition.
The perennial golfer off 18 who wins twice a year is precisely what hc competition is, and he is not 'gaming it'. Its the improver who is skirting with gaming it.