Irony must escape you on a daily basis.
1. Even though your number is arbitrary, the fact that its 20% different for a same-faction playthrough (THAT ARE BOTH SITH) is revolutionary for any MMO, and majority of single-player RPGs, too. You think Skyrim gives a **** if your story experience is any different on a new playthrough?
What's different? All your skills, rotations, items, and probably crafting. All story areas. All companions. HOPEFULLY your roleplaying (but in your case I doubt it).
But you're totally right - its much better to have completed tiered raid content within the first few months with ludicrously low drop rates so that you get to relive that same 2% of content over and over.
2. You can buy racial unlocks with credits. The more you know