Perhaps the problem is that graphic designers don't need to be that well respected. I mean, fire fighters run in to burning buildngs to save lives, cops put themselves in th eline of fire to help keep you safe, doctors train for years to do 6 hour operations to fix damaged hearts, and then graphic designers... uh... draw pictures.... and surf the internet demading to be taken seriously apparently.
I'm not saying they're bad people, or bad at what they do, I'm just saying that companys hold these contests for a reason: because the people that use the products have good ideas for things that they would like to buy, they often do better than professional designers because they see it with different eyes.