Anyway, how does one address this trend with effusive positivity when the problem areas persist and are under management of the same set of individuals?
Being honest and forthright are not the same as negativity. I've always spoken honestly and sometimes taken a little heat for it, but nothing serious. Some things simply have to be said. An occasional critical post doesn't make one negative.
Truly negative people LOOK for something to be negative about, whether it exists or not.
You're a smart guy, so you know all that, but I ramble sometimes.