There is no question in my mind that LE's are "created collectables" solely for that purpose. No different than Franklin mint issues or collector plates.
In the overall picture, few have much value over issue price yet I don't discourage anyone who wishes to collect them from doing so. After all, this is a hobby and the majority of us don't do it for profit.

I like you also have stopped collecting LE's for the most part but I think that collecting them is sort of an entry level thing into the hobby and the start of a progression into the hobby until one finds ther niche.
Some will continue to collect LE's and if that is their passion, I see nothing wrong with that either