The jQuery-centric feeling is just because it is the most common library right now. The part about leaning heavily on a framework for anything that is not basic id more due to the fact that writing cross browser DOM and evdent manipulation is really a PITA.
If you are interested in alternatives to jQuery there are many of them available. I am personaly a big fan of the Dojo toolkit, since it is kind of batteries-included, it does less magic $ stuff and it supports a decent module system.
If you are interested in alternatives to jQuery there are many of them available. I am personaly a big fan of the Dojo toolkit, since it is kind of batteries-included, it does less magic $ stuff and it supports a decent module system.