There are some games on Steam that require you to launch them through Steam, and then through another service. Examples being the Assassin's Creed games and Farcry requiring you to launch them through UPlay, and then the Dead Rising games, and some other Microsoft games that require GFWL. I don't mind it, assuming they actually work. I've had issues with GFWL not working though, so not a fan of it.
Don't see how Origin is a hurdle if Steam isn't. They both work the same. The only difference is that you've already got an established library on Steam. I'm not saying you should have both, but to say one is better for those reasons is just wrong.
I think I'm crazy though. Everyone complains about Steam and how they would rather just download from a site and bypass Steam all together. I, personally, like having everything in one spot. I even add games that aren't on Steam to Steam and launch them from there.