I completely disagree on #1 and #3. The price needs to be obtainable for low levels, because that is when you are most likely to die or make better choices as you learn the game.
As for the others, it's a single player game, not a multiplayer competitive game. If you want to "exploit," it doesn't hurt anyone except yourself. If you find those mechanics unwelcome... don't do them? The crossword puzzle example above is an excellent analogy.
Let other people play how they want to. I daresay most players never even considered manipulating the game to that extent.
I see it the same way. It would be much too restrictive if you had to play in early stages without all the companions because you could not afford resurrections. 200 gold is quite a lot at start if you don't exploit the game. I don't want to steal from vendors because I don't want to steal. Should the game be catering only to thiefs and exploiters?
And easy respeccing? If you don't want it because it makes things too easy, don't do it. Don't experiment. Play with the char you don't like or without the spell or ability you missed. Don't assume that others do or like it the same way. If you knew the game by heart and have your perfect char, don't demand restrictions by the game for testing chars which would obviously not restrict you.
