Most states have laws restricting faithless electors in some way, including voiding such votes (which has happened). Though, some lack enforcement mechanisms. The Supreme Court has upheld penalties for faithless electors within the past five years. As a result, it’s vanishingly rare.
It’s still a dumb system that is unrepresentative and relies too much on people just doing the right thing, but this characterization isn’t totally accurate.
Your bonus point is depressingly significant. The number of people I’ve heard say something like, “I don’t like x, y, z about Trump, but I like that he speaks his mind and tells it like it is in his opinion” drives me crazy. When did it become admirable to be an unfiltered boor?