HighlandPete: Yeah, I agree completely. It's a personal choice for sure, but I think if you don't have smooth roads it's just not worth the trouble. From time to time I see someone in an extremely lowered car and it's just comical to watch how much the chassis is punished for every road imperfection.
Most passengers also really appreciate a smoother ride... if you can get flatter cornering at the same time, all the better, as it keeps them from swaying if you're turning a little harder.
I agree that Kevin Bird's setup is great. I don't know enough about sway bars to really comment on why one wouldn't do that (strengthen sway bar and soften springs) more often.