I think patents can be (and have been) distorted to be used as weapons, but their real purpose is to help innovation as I described.
The argument you're making is basically that the system right now is broken, so we should just throw it out. I do agree that it's broken, but I argue that fixing the system is a better solution than throwing it out.
The purpose of a patent system and the purposes of people using a patent system are two different things. The first one might motivate lawmakers; but it is the second one that actually matters.
Do you honestly believe there is such a problem with sharing innovation in the software industry, that we need government intervention to encourage sharing?
The argument you're making is basically that the system right now is broken, so we should just throw it out. I do agree that it's broken, but I argue that fixing the system is a better solution than throwing it out.