Designers do more at the top. Programmers do more at the bottom.
Design is development, just the more abstract aspects of it
Well said, totally agreed. 
I said something earlier along the lines of "The point where Game Design and Development meet is where the balance of ideology and functionality/feasibility is struck". Like you said, Design encompasses a whole lot and is no more or less than any of the other disciplines involved in development.
The people I respect most are the ones who are willing to take on all of these, and I've been lucky to meet quite a few of them
I also strongly agree that if I am to become a designer of sorts I would be more than willing to contribute to other, if not all, the aspects of development.
Thank you for your feedback sir 