I was always under the impression that the original design never included homesteads & they are rather recent development. Also, the game is designed on purpose to have limited resources. If Jordi wanted everyone to have everything all the time & never have any conflict, then every totem would come with its own small unlimited junk pile.
I know you homestead guys feel like you're getting bent over today, but I'm sure if the game is so horribly balanced against you once we're live...Jordi will do something. If anything, the last couple days have shown that he cares a lot about trying to please everyone as best he can.