Speed in the game

So one thing I've been seeing a lot with people in various chat circles with battle classes is the need for speed thresholds with GCDs and rotations. I feel like the whole concept of speed isn't necessary with this game and classes should just have fixed GCD values so gearing up for raid progression doesn't hurt gameplay too much with being forced to mix and match gear because you need to maintain certain speeds in combat.

I love the concept of customization with gear but I hate the idea of needing to meet these thresholds just to play the class optimally. Am I alone here?

I mean skill/spell speed is the only real customization that classes have really. And most classes have at least two threshholds that can be optimal to allow some flexibility.

I think it's fine personally.

Even if speed is removed from the game, wouldn't you still be forced to mix gear because the remaining stats will never be equivalent, and you would still want to maximize the most valuable stat?