I heartily agree. The black/white delineation of who were the protagonist/antogonists in the original trilogy were much more palatable. Sure, political intrigue might be allegorical or relevant, but as a plot device for a fantasy action film, it doesn't work.
If only because we wouldn't have had to suffer Jake Lloyd! What's he doing these days anyway? Selling car wax out of his van? I also think they should have made the time period between the trilogies much greater, so more like 30-40 years pass between III and I rather than 16 or 17 (although this would not allow the jedi twins to be born in the third prequel).
Agree with this sentiment as well. This is how I envisioned the prequels before their release as well. I think Lucas really dropped the ball on the concept of the Clone Wars - and the Boba Fett fanboy in me was hoping for an army of Fett troops at some point.
Oh well. My expectations for this third film are pretty low, so maybe I'll be pleasantly surprised.