MDN64 - your frustration is understood but I think you're mixing up several issues here which might confuse anyone new to the thread.
I run a business and use my MBA every day very successfully to do so. It has this problem, but by no means is it a "paperweight".
This issue may have a root cause in hardware in the way the chipsets are integrated, but it's more than likely a firmware/driver issue that can ultimately be resolved via software. The new ROM appears to be a step in that direction. It is definitely not a "build quality" or cost cutting issue.
Apple's hardware is actually very good compared to most PC manufacturers. Note that an Apple laptop is all "Intel PC" components anyhow. They just tend to source reasonably good quality components. Can you custom build something "better" as a PC? Sure, but it will cost you as least as much as an Apple. The build quality of all the major PC manufacturers is pretty horrendous these days.
Your "deterioration effect" is common to both Windows and OSX. It has a lot more to do with the applications requiring more and more computing resources as they get more advanced. OS updates also usually add some new features (like advanced web browsers and integration with social media) which tend to require more resources of hardware. In my experience, Windows systems "deteriorate" far faster than OSX. My 4 year old MBP works nearly as smoothly as my new MBA.
Apple has some issues with the way it engages with customers around boundary cases like this, but on balance they're FAR better to engage with than most PC vendors. Note that with a PC you need to engage with the manufacturer if it's a hardware issue and Microsoft if it's an OS issue. If you don't know which it is you can be completely stuck as both can say "not my problem". With Apple, it's definitely their problem since they control the stack. That makes a big difference.
I have spent an ungodly amount of money on computers over 20+ years personally and on behalf of companies, only a small amount of them were Apples. I would not be using a MBA and OSX as my primary work computer if I didn't firmly believe it is the best system out there today.