Regarding freedom 4, I've always assumed (possibly erroneously) that Stallman envisioned "software" as being limited more or less exclusively to Unixlike C programs. It really doesn't make a lot of sense as an axiom if you assume software will eventually become too complex to be comprehensible to a single individual, or that the typical software user won't require a working knowledge of CS and C compiler and be able to edit and compile from source.
I really disagree with this view that one has to have the skill to understand and edit the code to benefit the Four Freedoms. The fact that everyone who gets a copy has that Freedom is the important part. How many use Cyanogenmod without even knowing what a compiler is? How would that be possible without Freedom #4?
Users can't benefit from the fourth freedom, specifically the right to republish their own modifications to their own software, without having the skill to understand and edit that software to begin with.
You are ignoring the fact that users exist in society, around them there will be programmers who may be friends, colleagues or consultants. Some of those will be willing to modify the software gratis, for a favour or for money. Others will be willing to teach the non-programmers enough to be able to make the changes they need.
This. You wouldn't want a car with the hood welded shut. You can take it to a third-party mechanic rather than being at the mercy of the dealer (who would prefer you replace the car), and that's valuable even if you don't have the knowledge or tools to repair the car personally.
