Personally I don't think anyone should watch Macross with an analytical mind as if you're watching Death Note or Code Geass (urgh..season 2 is already suspending my belief). Its just not the series to do that. For me since SDFM, quite alot of things about the story including character development have to be taken with abit of suspension of belief. Macross in every sense is a soap-opera in space. You don't question how the characters fall in love in such circumstances. You don't question why the enemy does some illogical things. You don't question where Kamjin gets his giant turkey drum stick.
That said, I agree with your points. But at the same time, it doesn't bother me (as much as the animation and art quality) since Macross doesn't take itself too seriously and neither should we.