Because DnD did start as a wargame, right? Before the red box came the 50 figure armies. I think there used to be a little history written by Gygax about how they started.
Anyway, I don't mind the focus on combat. I like that roll-playing and role-playing are separated. My favorite groups had no issue with playing their dumb fighter as a dumb fighter, and the smooth talking noble as a smooth talker. I like the approach others have taken, like the social combat in exalted, or powered-by-the-apocalypse system, but it has led to a few players in my groups just wanting to roll the dice every time and not talk at all.
I feel you, mate. My dream is to build my own home, and yes, it's going to be a wizard's tower. I figure I'll lay it out like a shorter, wider lighthouse so I can put the hard stuff like the bathroom and kitchen on the ground floor attachment/hall.