why is the SWTOR community so against "pay to win"

There are other games that offer a Pay 2 Win approach. Spending real-world dollars gives someone an actual playable in-game advantage of some sort.

These games end up being structured such that if you DON'T spend money in the cash shop, you are gimped.

Your ability to play the game becomes tied to how much additional money you pump into it, instead of simply your subscription fees and skill.

Offering only cosmetic features in a cash shop does not have the same effect.

Not everyone is American... Not everyone spends Dollars! We all have our own different Currencies!

I am not philosophically opposed to Pay to Win. If done correctly, it would allow players to customize their character they way the want and allow them the maximum amount of time playing only the content in a game that they find the most enjoyable. However, the problem is that it has yet to be done correctly.

For example, let's say someone's favorite content in the game is the PvE space game, or the individual planetary heroics. That content they find the most fun and enjoy doing it every time they log in. However, let's also say that there is a particular OPs gear set that the player finds the most cosmetically pleasing to them, but said player hates playing Operations with a passion.

Allowing said player to purchase said armor via real money in the cash shop would allow said player to customize the look of his character to their preference (thus enhancing their playing experience and enjoyment of the game), and still focus all of their available play time on the content they enjoy the most - the PvE space game (or the Planetary Heroics, or Flashpoints, etc. etc.)

does affect me

I want a Bantha (for example) yet there is no quest line I can partake in to EARN ONE
There is no boss I can kill for the chance at a rare drop
The ONLY way is to buy cartel packs with real money or reward someone on GTN who used real money to obtain (P2W)

My gaming experience has been diminished because of it
P2W has robbed me of a in game experience I should be able to experience and value for the value of my subscription and time alone.

Cant say it any more straight forward then that to make it clear
If you still fail to understand why Im against it
well that your issue then as its been explained twice now

i am suggesting that the CM should offer gear equivalent to the best gear available through gameplay.

i certainly don't want the CM gear to be superior to normal gear, just equal to. the only advantage of paying money is that it woulds be easier and a bit earlier.

with swtor, players are not usually fighting other players, and when they are they are bolstered to a generic level usually.