> I don't understand how that gives you dictatorial power over 100s of users who don't like the changes you've made.

Those hundreds of user are:

1. A vocal minority, most likely. People happy about it don't go on bug trackers to support devs.

2. Not making the software, not part of the decision making process. Don't like the end result ? Fork it if you have the ability. Give constructive criticism if you want and you think the team is receptive to it (or even cares about it. Sometimes, I just don't want your genius idea).

So, yes. They're doing this for free. Don't like it? Fork it, or don't be an ass. If you can't do either of those, the third option is to fuck off.