I agree with you 100% that this is a serious issue. That is why the general flying public, and especially we frequent flyers need to learn to manage our expectations. What do I mean....? Actually its rather simple:
1) the days of getting a lot for nothing are over. no more chepo fares eligible for upgrades to premium cabins
2) chepo fares will probably start earning less miles. take that or else you will be fooled by earning full mileage only to get the same (or more) taken away from you through mileage inflation
3) the best perks are going to be exclusively for the best customers. unless you have an insider at a carrier that will bend the rules for you... most low revenue/low profit customers are going to have to deal with less/smaller or no perks at all