Not sure how you can decide whether Meshug is the norm or not (just rad that and realized it sounds kinda funny ). The OU, a MO Hechsher is one of the most reliable Hechsherim out there. Some people have highter standards for Cholov Yisroel, Bishul Yisroel etc. does that mean we look down on the OU? It just means we don't rely on certain Heterim which are perfectly acceptable to others, each one at his level...
I've done numerous studies on the matter, studied Hasidic anthropology, my dissertation was on the subject of how Ultra's consider their modern counterparts... What do you think? I'm one of them, I'm just a regular Williamsburg chasid with long payos and all, and I know my friends, I know my community. Sure, there are plenty of us that are more open minded, like you for instance, but unfortunately we are not the majority.
Regarding hechsherim, it's just one example, and we can argue about that, it's not only that the OU uses heteirim, there are some people who would eat anything with a "Heimishe" (read: Hebrew lettering) hechsher, even if they knew nothing about said hechsher, but wouldn't touch OU with a ten stick pole, or eat out of an MO's kitchen.
Just ask your typical ultra what he thinks about MO's tznius standards, for example, "they know they're wrong, they just don't care about halacha"...
OK, it's getting late, work aint gonna do itself.