There are pros and cons to whatever vehicle one chooses to use. Cages have the benefit of more security, shelter from the elements, conditioned air, cup holders, cruise control, etc. But the cons are that they are bigger, bulkier, less agile, destined to wait like friggin' Brits in the vehicular "queue" that is bumper-to-bumper traffic, and significantly less fun.
We who embrace the bike have the cons of exposure--both weather as well as safety--no conditioned air, no cup holders or cruise control (screw those touring types =P), etc. Yet we have the benefits of smaller size, agility, speed, fun...and SHOULD have the advantage of getting through traffic a little quicker than everyone else. Commandant Obama has such a hardon for improving fuel efficiency and saving the planet, he ought to make federal accommodations for those of us who are (inadvertently or otherwise) helping in that effort. So we get to use the carpool lanes (during certain hours...what a joke)...big deal. Most of the times I've been on Santa Fe I haven't needed to use it, and sometimes it even proved to be slower. Lane-splitting and/or sharing is debatable, but filtering forward should certainly be legal, as it helps to protect the rider from what could be potentially fatal consequences.
This is far from some sort of "elitist" attitude, which you seem to indicate...and attitude that we've all come to expect from non-bikers. But coming from a fellow biker, it just seems ludicrous. Why should we have to wait in line like everyone else when we're a fraction of the size, especially when you consider that by allowing bikes to safely lane-share/split at slow speeds in heavy traffic, and to filter forward goes towards alleviating traffic congestion for EVERYONE.
Same with parking lots. I don't think I should be able to park on a wide sidewalk close to the store out of some inflated sense of entitlement. I think we should be able to in order to not take a spot that a full-size vehicle could otherwise use.
The problem with lane-splitting/sharing is that there are asshats that will do it at 75mph. It's these types that make such a bad name for the rest of us that lawmakers won't allow it, even at slower/safer speeds.