Is it just me, or is word usage and spelling going to hello in a sandbasket?

I have an unfortunate tendency to notice errors in spelling, usage, punctuation. I let some things bug me. Part of it is that I can see something that the other person apparently doesn't. What do I do with that?
Recently I have heard a lot of word misuse, often with the fancier sounding word substituted for the correct word. This shows up when people always use "so-and-so and I" even when it is an object in the sentence and the correct pronoun would be me.
"They took my friend and I to the beach." Aaaaarrgggh. Friend and ME! So my internal corrector says.
I think competence became competency in this way. I recently heard "methodological" when the appropriate word was "methodical."
Today I received an e-newsletter where the writer referred throughout to people "waiving" at each other. Many times. Spell check doesn't know when you use the wrong word.
Once I wrote to an e-sender to suggest she needed a proofreader. She asked for the basis of my comment so I sent her some examples. No reply or even thanks for the time it took me to do it. We don't like to be criticized. I just take advantage of those times when I am asked to edit copy, and make it my gift to friends.
I appreciate the kindness of those who take care of their language as it is easier for me to read!