I am pretty much on the same page as you, there are certaine features where I get it, as becoming base game opens them up to be added upon by dlc and basegame updates (like the calendar), I agree that lifestyles would be great for this too (SE lifestyles, or at least the majority of them, could still remain SE exclusive).
There are other things, especially recolors of CAS/BB and gameplayobjects where I dont get it...like adding the top that was originally from GF in different colors to the basegame, I dont understand why that was done at all, I mean it was just one top so I dont feel robbed or anything, it just came of as lazy and unnecessary to me.
The hot tub was worse, since it was the champion object of a stuff pack and some people might have bought the stuff pack just because of it...that seemed very unfair.
But I have noticed them now adding new features and new objects simultaniously to a pack and the base game, like the bunk beds, ladders and likes/dislikes (also the upcoming addition of fingernails).
So we know upfront that we get the kind of feature/object for free but have to get the pack for a certain style or part of the feature.
That to me is more genuine and fair.
