Standard human is really pretty nice if you're trying for a build that requires more than a couple stats, although I've done some fun things with the variant too.
Sure, I can see that. Mad characters get some help.
But man a feat at level 1 is hard to pass up. Polearm master Paladin at lvl 1. War caster cleric at lvl 1. Heavy armor master at lvl1 etc. etc.