I can't explain how well you put my thoughts on H4 into perspective with this post. I wasn't a real Halo fan until my friends got me into competitive H3 gaming. I can't tell you how well thought out and well built H3 was. It was a perfect combination of respawns, skill, weapon placement... the list goes on.
As for all the stuff that sucks about H4 right now, I'm hoping with faith and a little patience 343 will adjust the game mechanics. The power weapons on drops is stupid.. take those out and instead replace it with ammo, perks, nades. Place the power weapons soley on the map and go from there. That would address alot of the frustration of "tactical" camping. Kill the instant respawn. So sad.. whats the point of being a better player if you can't use the advantage to it's fullest?