'Always online' is a form of DRM that requires your client to log into their server to activate the game each time it is started. It's extremely annoying and ineffective. Blizzard (Diablo 3) and Ubisoft (Driver: SF) have the same DRM, so if one 'hates' EA for it, they must also 'hate' these companies as well. In most cases, the publisher doesn't design the game, although they may have requirements that need to be met by the developer...EA (the publisher) isn't responsible for any of the problems you listed. EA:LA developed C&C 4, so that's who's responsible for the design and any post-launch updates. If enough people complained about those specific issues to the developer, I'm very certain they would have been changed. Nobody invests millions into a software product and then ignores customer feedback. If they sell 5 million copies and only get 10 angry emails, then nothing will be done...a million angry emails and it would be patched ASAP. It's all about appeasing the masses, not tailoring to every whim.
'Eh' is what I said too. It was based on the same game engine but it was so dissimilar that it should not have shared the name. I feel like they just used the C&C name because of the weight it carried.