Mate, I don't want to come across as confrontational, but it does seem you made some less than optimal choices and had some unrealistic expectations and are now blaming the whole system.
Firstly you're comparing your damage with a fighter. Seriously, this is supposed to be their forte, especially early game where menacing strike and action surge compare favourably with enemies health pools. What if your menacing strike missed or Ethel makes her save, which has happened in a few of my games. The later battle is tough just to blast it out in melee. The other classes add a lot to the later battle. Like I said before if you had have hit Ethel with an exposing bite it would have doubled Laezel's damage, certainly a lot more useful than whatever you got from moonbeam.
Casters' whole deal is supposed to be their versatility, at least early until they get their big spells later. Moon druids is their versatility in forms. Asking to do the same damage as a fighter that can attack twice with action surge is a bit much. Who would play as a fighter then?
Laezal's action surge doesn't do much in the githyanki fight with so many dangerous enemies. Also movement is a problem for fighters, especially facing foes that can teleport or jump great distances. Sure, she can cast jump as a racial spell, but that takes an action and is a racial ability not a native one to fighters.
If you want a really strong druid, roll a wood elf coastal land druid like I said. I have a feeling you'll enjoy the game a lot more.
