I'm skeptical about EA doing this because they are scary and evil (although I won't argue with that specifically).

I am open to the idea that there is much more to the simulation than users are able to replicate on their own computers at home. I wish EA/Maxis would address specifically why an always on connection is required, so we don't have an abnormal amount of unfounded nerdrage opinions floating around about DRM.

DRM sucks, for sure, but I doubt that's the only reason this game requires a connection.