You use the command key to issue commands and raw keys to type. So: command-delete means it's fast and easy to delete a file without the worry of accidentally losing a file when your cat jumps on the keyboard.
No. This is what good software design is. The designer chose this path, offering you the option to change this is what makes software bloated and unmaintainable.
I think everyone has stockholm syndrome with regard to OS GUIs. Windows and OSX are both pretty awful when it comes to consistent and logical design cues.
I'm just kidding, it's a superficial annoyance.
I should have the option though, and what's the purpose of a "recycle bin" if not for feline file administration?