whatever you do, I would cease comparing being forced to tip to anything "Mandela, Teresa, and Gandhi" overcame.

I don't think you're cheap, I think you like to argue and you need something to do. What difference does it make if you pay 10 + 1.50 tip or 11.50? But if your waitress spits in your food, you can skip the 1.50 now, or if she brings you the biggest order of fries ever, you can up it to 2.50. This is a problem why? If you think the steak should just cost 10 dollars, then yes you're cheap and this whole thing is goofy.

If they pool tips, and everyone works hard and gives good service, this is a good thing. If you think wait staff don't notice when one of their crew isn't pulling their weight you've never known anyone who worked at a restaurant. If all the servers are equally bad, DON'T GO BACK TO EAT.