WotC believes you MUST play a typical race- human, elf, dwarf, midget, or half-breed of one of these- or lose levels for it.
In reality, humans are often the best race because of the bonus feat. A hobgoblin SHOULD NOT be worth 1 LA just because it has 'uneven stat distribution.' Core races are more powerful because they have splat support and a following from old editions. See dwarves.