Efrem,
Making everyone on the planet gold might not put them ahead of EXPs for upgrades, but it will end up putting them in front of us in check-in lines, and during preboarding for coach flights, not to mention putting millions of golds in front of us for upgrades when we have to fly on short notice.
Newby gold members will probably be the first ones rushing for the door during preflight boarding.
Please don't get me wrong -- Gold elites deserve the perks they get for flying 25k miles on AA. However, they don't deserve the perks when they don't earn them. I had to earn my way to Gold Status, and if I were a Gold Elite that spent money and time earning it, I'd be pretty POed about this.