'm trying my darndest to use Windows 8 effectively, but there are some things that just make absolutely no sense whatsoever. How do we go about submitting "feature requests" - is there an avenue for that besides these forums?

The issue I've stumbled across is with the Windows 8 Mail app. The latest update finally added the folder management capabilities to it, but there is still one key feature missing - I should be able to grab the message and drag it to the folder I want it in, just like I can in the browser. There is no sensible reason that it should take a swipe and two clicks to accomplish this - especially when those two clicks are on the complete opposite sides of the screen. That gets annoying with a 27" non-touch monitor.

One of the best ways to submit Feedback for a particular app is from within the app.
In the Mail App, press the WinKey+I to open the options bar and click the Feedback link.
Follow the steps to submit your comments. This will go directly to the developers who maintain that app.
You also have some choices in Windows 8.
You can still install and use a Desktop Email app, possibly the same one you used on previous versions of Windows.