You guys make 500ft ceilings sound like a death trap. Out here in North Western Canada, days like what you describe are often the norm, with many days being much much worse.
Flying in low weather and high winds is an aquired skill, just like any other facet of the industry. To illustrate this, you should try the Alaska Panhandle some time. With 500 OC and 2 SM there is more traffic than you can shake a stick at, much of it fixed-wing. When you start getting aroun 200 OC and 1 SM or less, things start to quiet down, but there is always some out - you'd never get anyting done otherwise.
I am in no way advocating flying in weather that is below your personal limits, but 3/4 SM in the moutnains is just what you are dealt some days, and when you're 50+NM from roads and civilization, you do what you need to get the job done. Of course you MUST use discretion when evaluating whether or not to continue, but please understand that what may seem crazy to you, is the norm for others.
AR