The easiest solution I see to every problem mentioned in the OP is to just abstain from playing with assholes. Create your own LS, play with like-minded people.
I want the challenge in this game. I have ended otherwise amazing 8-man roaming parties simply because someone wanted to introduce a powerleveler(naturally I was nice about it at first before leaving and causing everyone else to follow me). When doing Toto-Rak and "mini"-Ifrit runs, I've been painfully obstinate about the levels being near the range of the content. I have people who feel the same way and I play with them. That simple.
The market wards? Heaven forbid people try to enjoy the meta-game of trying to make it big by playing with the economy. If you don't want to partake, then become self-sufficient. With food, medicine, and overall crafting modifications, my LS and I find ourselves enjoying that side of the game much more. I will concede that Ul'dah is still laggy as all hell, but that's a combination of things from players not wanting to budge even though the markets have been linked to crappy server quality.
I'm very protective of the game experience of my friends and myself, and the game has been a real blast because of this. Everything else aside, if there's one thing the game lets you do, it's playing your way.
I'd also like to think that people in the position of the community teams, team leads, and Yoshi P as director/producer know what types of balance the game needs, what types of feedback to listen to(hint: probably not this thread), etc.
