I figured the empowerment process was necessary because all of these empowerment classes were more powerful than something that people could just roll up and play, and to prevent people from just abusing that by having like 50 paladins and 50 shamans running around at one time, they have a semi-controlled process of limitation.

Can't quite back this up, as I've never played anything but a healer, but the only empowerment class that I could see as ever being "overpowered" is a paladin. The rest just don't seem to be as worth it. I'd still like to give the shaman or paladin a try, especially moreso now after hearing the responses in my "what class..." thread below.