I understand what you're saying. If I'd had LTE before, I'd probably feel the same way. But I haven't, so it's not something that bothers me. (And I have a LTE-enabled device with my SIII, but we don't have AT&T LTE where I live. In fact, I'd have to drive 150-200 miles just to get to the closest LTE coverage. So I've never even used it).
Of course, I'm also one of those people who believe those of you who bought the carrier-branded Galaxy Nexus weren't actually getting a "real" Galaxy Nexus. I'm sure you all think you were...but you weren't. The test of whether you own a true Nexus device, to me anyway, is whether you get your updates directly from Google (and thus, get your updates in a timely manner). The fact is, the Verizon and Sprint Galaxy Nexus(ii?) didn't get their updates to JellyBean straight from Google (or in a timely manner), therefore, they aren't true Nexus devices.
In short, the Galaxy Nexus DIDN'T have a LTE option. The carrier-branded versions DID. But the real Nexus devices from Google have never had a LTE option.