Satoshi separated the money printer from human beings, realizing that we simply can't help ourselves. The issuance schedule has to be determined beforehand and be non-discretionary, or human beings will manipulate it to their benefit. They always do.
That's the crux of the innovation, in my eyes. Making a money that we can't manipulate. Saving us from ourselves. There is obviously much more to bitcoin, but this is a central idea.
Ethereum's response? "Nah, how about another centralized money printer. We'll do better this time!"