I actually thought ehwest posed a reasonable question (especially considering he may be a true newbie).  What's lacking (and perhaps causing your ire) is the answer to the question.

IMO, the pain is virtually the same and, as I've posted before, if it's essential "we only need one".  I'll use a disgusting analogy (because I can't quickly think of one less disgusting that truly gets the point across).  It's the "nuts in a vice" anology (ladies - think mamogram from hell).  Right now, two nuts in the vice, and we're tightenning away.  Very painful for the infringers.  Remove one nut, tighten the vice again.  Any significant difference the in pain level?  Maybe a slightly discernable difference - slightly.  Same in the "patent reduction" scenario, IMO.

Apologies.

SGE