> If it is, then I'm still in the same boat where the Bitcoin network facing node can decide not to service me.
Jesus, this is precisely what the lightning network is for! Please, do a little research before dismissing it wholesale. The node you are connected to cannot refuse to pay, because you have a signed, but unpublished transaction of what he owes you (if he owes you). If he suddenly stops contact and says fuck you, you can just publish that transaction.
Seriously, this has always been the idea from the get go, so don't go blaming that you haven't read the latest update on how lightning works. If you don't understand something, don't go around spouting that it must not work.