You really need to switch to a non-Apple product. Your hatred for Apple makes it impossible for you to be taken seriously at all any more.
There is nothing insidious about the Newsstand. It will be loved by millions, and these people will love it for the convenience of having all their stuff organized for them.
Apple made agreements with large publishers because it's the best way to have content instantly available.
We developed a subscription app for one of our smaller customers and they have now asked us to support the Newsstand with their magazine. I contacted Apple and they were extremely helpful. We will be in the Newsstand very soon as a result.
It's a nice feature, on a device that appeals to millions of users BECAUSE Apple makes it easy and intuitive.
You want something you can muck with and make it your personal device with layers of nested folders, renamed apps and everything customized to your sec, please, switch to a rooted Android device, cause iOS will never make you happy.
-t