* Users want more for less.
* Users expect to pay beans and get shrink-wrapped quality spit and polish for one-off projects.
* Programmers are expected to be analysts by management.
* Programming itself is seen as a trivial activity by management and users.
* As the workplace changes, programming is even less valued and those so-called "soft skills" are what you'll be measured on.
1) that's a general trend... not just in development, but society as a whole. I'm guilty of it just as much as the next person.
2) that's bad... that means someone, somewhere hasn't set the proper expectation. But I do know what you mean. I've seen it too... even after the expectations were set (it was assumed we would just naturally go above and beyond the call and were simply lowballing it). (no, we weren't, it was a stretch to meet the expectations, let alone exceed them.)
3) that's because for too long there were "programmer analysts" ... I used to be one... it's only been in the last 5 years or so that it's being recognized that developers don't necessarily understand the business enough to get what the users are saying. Mean while, the users don't speak "geek" either.
4) That's the worst sin of all... and all too common. Even where I'm at, it's only been in the last two years that management recognized that this thinking has been a mistake. At least we're moving towards correcting that.
5) I hope I die before I get to that point. I hate politics, and I'm a do-er not management. Then again, maybe I won't have to worry about it. Since I don't have those soft skills, I won't get promoted to management.

there is one way out of the box... it's not a pleasant one, nor easy given the economy... but if you can, change boxes. That's what I ended up doing (not by choice though)... and it's been for the better.

-tg