TacomaSailor, I don't know the answers to your questions, and doubt anyone here Knows For Sure.
There is something in the US called the Aviation Safety Reporting System. It's run by NASA, precisely to keep it our of the FAA's hands. It's part confessional, part wailing wall for pilots. You can air your troubles, being as discreet about your personal identity as you wish.
Anyway, there have been a number of complaints about the MAX. (One pilot, after Jakarta: “I am left to wonder: what else don’t I know?”) And these include the autothrottles. Perhaps those far more knowledgeable than I will hoot at this, but it does add a dimension to the speculation mix.