Hello Melissa;  Reading your description, I realized that you might be
talking about me.  I also use the rabbit filter and prefer it for the same
reasons that you state. I have been doing that for 60,000 on my own 87 GL
and on my previous van for over 100,000 miles with no problems.  There will
be no extra points awarded for using the original filters, as these ones do
the job just as well.
If the  mechanic you described does  good work, and completes jobs as
promised, hang onto him.  Experienced VW mechanics are rare and under
appreciated, and vitally important to the longevity of your van.
As far as the other (somewhat less) important global problems you mention;
I'm sure you can find thousands of opinions on each side of the issues, but
my area of interest is in Mechanically correctness, and will allow others
to argue PCness, ad nauseum.                                   Larry Carter