I frequently buy in short as well, and let me summarize what I've learned here so far:

-Reduces the complexity of the game and decisions post flop (usually pot commited by the turn anyway)
(This is a good and bad thing, I'll explain later)

-Allows you to risk less with just as much earning potential when considering BB/Hr

-Forces you to keep your starting hand requirements tight and not play as much suited crap

-Others at table are not afraid of your stack, therefore your all-in bets are more callable.

-Short stack players have a bad image anyway, which works good for the experienced short stack player.

-Harder to bluff a short stacked player after the flop, cause they may have the odds to call regardless of what they hold.

-Most TAGGS/experienced players don't like the short stacks, so they may leave or try harder to bust them.

The fact that doing this is a "cheap excuse" to not play poker correctly is very true, but is it really that bad? Aren't we all here to make money? Or is it to become a better player? The priority you put on those two items determine if you would want to do this regularly or not. It has it's disadvantages, but it is definetly a strategy that works, as some of our successful FTR members can attest.

As part of my strategy, once I build up to a decent stack size, I don't buy in again short at another table, (or come back to the same table with less money) I just play normal poker. By the time I've built my stack up, I usually have a very good table image, you can bluff more, and you now have more leverage and winning potential. I just like to start out short for all of the reasons I listed above, plus the fact that I really enjoy the challenge of buying in short and eventually becoming the chip leader.