Veteran MMO'er. New to the FFXIV, thanks in advance for the help.

As I understand it, I could take a single character and level up every single class to the level cap. I also understand that a single character can have multiple jobs, if you fulfill the class req's and do the quests.

A few questions:

1. A lot has been made of the "best starting race for X class". I'm starting to suspect this is silly, due to the multi-class nature of the game. Does the 4 point variation in core stats matter in the end? How much of your main stat do you have in endgame?

2. As you level a class, you get bonus stat points to invest. Do those points carry over when you switch classes, or are the stats "siloed". This is important, of course, because whether you can truly cross-role depends on whether you've built that job around the right stats. If I have the gear, can I switch from Bard to Tank to Healer at L50? Or am I forced somehow to commit to one job?