AFTER I said "the patent issuance delays are not random .. anyone skilled in the art knows how to manipulate it." You said
"There are reasons we manipulate delays - for example, where the patent owner is unsure whether to proceed with the application or not, and wants to stall while they release their product or talk to investors - but to get increased patent term extension is not one of them. "
So you admit that the delays can be manipulated, yet patent term extensions aren't a reason. This strongly implies that an applicant has no interest in having a delayed issue date. The only reason they would have no interest in a delayed issue date is if it offered no gain.
1. A greatly delayed issue date can result in a term extension.
2. You state that applicants/their lawyer have ways to cause patent issuance delays.
3. You say that applicants have no interest in a term extension.
The only reason #3 would make sense is if there was no interest, financial or otherwise in a delay.
Also, your reasoning that applicants merely want to stall while they talk to investors or decide whether to proceed makes no sense. They've already paid the fees, why would they need to stall or not proceed with an application? Unless we are talking about a situation where they are concerned about trade secrets, there is no reason for someone to not want a patent. Going the trade secret route is very very risky. Also, since the application is already in process it would get revealed within 18 months anyway and if it gets abandoned .. there is zero protection.