call me crazy but this multitasking "issue" is totally a non-issue for me.
OK, you are crazy

i guess i just dont need to be running 6 apps at once. maybe it's just me. ive found no problem switching back and forth between 2 apps.
I am glad you are not noticing the problems. I suspect you eventually will.
i can guarantee that if htc makes a patch for sense that allows tons of apps to run at the same time people will start complaining about that. poor battery life will undoubtedly be one of the new complaints...
Wrong. Background apps know they are in the background and consume no power at all unless they need to be doing something (unless the app is just defective). For example, when you switch away from Play Store, it should continue to download and install/update stuff you told it to, until it is done, then it will suspend all activity. Most games will instantly suspend all activity when you switch away, because there is no need to do anything without the screen.