1.8.496731 Game balance

IMHO ver 1.8 is in need of some rebalancing.  If you don't go all out for influence you get this (normal level).  In previous versions I knew I could overcome huge AI leads, but I've never been out influenced in my Home sector.  The AI shouldn't be able to do that, especially at "Normal".  And please, please fix map generation.  If I've picked max everything and "Far", how are they even in my sector already.  This has been a problem for quite awhile, but I thought you were fixing it.  This is worse not better.  I know 1.8 has a lot of new cool additions and AI upgrades, which is great, but this part of the game isn't the way to go, again IMHO.