Personally, having Hayden at the end of Episode VI does make sense, especially after Episode III. But that's just me.
As for the rebuying issue, you're probably correct. Diehards do continue to rebuy them. I can't dispute that.
"As for the overall story, I do agree that that has stayed the same, but that still doesn't justify it is right." It doesn't justify it as being wrong either. It depends on point of view, which essentially has boiled down to Lucas' and the "core fans." It's a difference in ideology of what is truly Star Wars, which no one can ever answer....
As far as releasing the theatrical versions remaster, I want them to be released so we can get this entire stupid ass episode behind us and start enjoying the films again and talking about the content in the films. Personally, I made eternal peace with the Original Trilogy with the release of the 2004 DVD set. Sure, there are maybe a few things in the entire boxset that I'd change, in terms of what's in the films themselves (as someone who's interest in film is far beyond the casual fan) but the boxset, I felt, was pretty much a great set. I didn't need a Lord of the Rings Extended Trilogy Boxset-type of set with the Star Wars Saga. That boxset was overkill to the nth degree.
But, admittedly CO, I'm of two minds of releasing them remastered. Again, I would like it to be released from a public relations standpoint because that's the only hurdle that separates Lucas from certain circles in the film community. At the same time, apart of me doesn't because had Lucas had the technology back then that he had while making the Prequels, the Original Trilogy would never look as it did when they were originally released. So, I see the Special Editions as Lucas fixing what he was always wanted to be there in the first place.
Now, you're argument is "well, which version, '97, '04, or what we might be getting with the boxset?" And I would answer, what did he really change from '97 to '04? Jabba...but he needed to be changed from the '97 version mainly because by the time the '99 Jabba from Episode I was shown, Jabba '97 was already dated. Technology just caught up really fast with that decision. Luke's scream...well, that was just a dumb decision on Lucas' part to begin with. This is an example of him not really sure what he wanted until someone knocked some sense into him. Boba's voice...it makes sense in the context of how Lucas looks at the Star Wars now. It's not two separate trilogies. It's one and Boba's voice should sound like Jango's.
As for the other issues, transfers and lightsabers, that's a matter of opinion, especially with the transfers. I'm sure it wasn't on purpose for the lightsabers to change colors in the manner that they did and I'm sure it'll be corrected when the boxset gets released. It's not like he actually planned that.
So again, if he really wants to mend fences with certain circles, then he should release them remastered. But, I think Lucas should continue to push for what he feels Star Wars really is (since this is his creation from pretty much top to bottom)....because again, it's not like changed them in the manner of say Kingdom of Heaven or Alexander. He changed some things that would've been that way had he had what he needed back when he was originally making these films....