Mithrandir, those are excellent observations. And not only was TLJ constrained by TFA in unfortunate ways but TFA colors how TLJ is perceived. I think that is inevitable but it does make the the creator’s hand all the more visible and the similarities all the more glaring in TLJ. Like you, I can’t ignore that. There are the separate question of whether Johnson’s intent was always well executed and whether there weren’t some other better alternatives (albeit probably still not satisfying). I think those questions preoccupy most discussions and to many look like nitpicks or nostalgia but are actually referring back to more fundamental objections to the film.
There are also philosophical/ideological objections to TLJ as envisioned by Johnson, which you touched on previously. But that goes beyond whether the film is good or bad, as you noted. Objecting to the particular views expressed through TLJ they won’t be convincing to anyone who doesn’t already share the same point of view - and most people don’t really care!