I really didn't understand the issue.

[ChibiChan_Hyperion]

snippity snip snip

*snipped, I don't like that I got so caught up in the moment that I wrote what I've removed here. I apologize, Adam*

Well, the fact that you can buy a house with gil sort of invalidates your entire ideal of "They are only getting these items at a much faster pace." I can no longer get that house anymore. They've literally consumed the opportunity by spending real money on gil, and there is no way to compete with this if you don't already have the gil other than also spending real money. Suddenly, the size of your wallet in real life can affect how quickly you can achieve goals inside of the game.

Again, I wouldn't even care if this didn't affect me or other players than those doing it, but it does. ...

Yes! Exactly this.