Dividends allow you to obtain money from the business without giving up control. Small distinction, and only really relevant to those with large holdings.
Nonsense. The business can choose to issue new shares whenever it pleases. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Follow-on_offering
If I issue new shares and sell them, that is diluting my voting rights.
If I sell some of my existing shares, that is diluting my voting rights.
What have I missed?
Just to re-iterate, this is from the perspective of a shareholder wanting to bring some cash back to my personal bank account. Not trying to add more funds to the business (which a dividend is the opposite of).