I agree. I, myself, get rather annoyed to be honest. But yeah, don't let it discourage you. You are probably one of the best writers on this website, in my opinion. :)
I agree with you about everything. It's not often an original story of mine gets read and commented, so you're not alone. I just hope that, sooner or later, a handful of people will stumble apon it somehow. Until then, all there is for anyone to do is write. :]
I thought the stars were to do with how many times an editor had checked your story and given it the green light? That not right? It is annoying when you don't get comments. I think you either have to be lucky or just whore your story out to every person who likes fishnets and converse.
I know what you mean. A lot of it has to do with original vs. fanfiction as well. And fanfiction, you pretty much have to write about the Jonas Brothers, PATD, MCR, or A7X to get views. I do have a few PATD stories, as well as fanfics on lesser known people. I'm much more proud of my stories on lesser known people, but those are the ones that get the least reads/subscribers.