Andy, I too have done way more BFR/AFR's than I can remember. What I think dubbleyew eight is trying to say is that it would be great if we were encouraged to take more responsibility for ourselves and have less stringent rules and regulations.
The number of AFR's I have done with pilots who plain didn't need them is considerable. On the same note, the number of pilots who didn't require an AFR but requested a checkout because they hadn't flown for a while has been encouraging.
dubbleyew eight has made some valid points, not the least of which is that personal responsibility is an unthinkable possibility in our current political climate. Damn shame about that.