What is the big deal in using colors combinations that are so hard to read?

In the favorites pane, the e-mail address that is associated with the folder is light gray on white and extremely difficult to read. The subject line lettering color in the list of e-mail messages is bit darker and almost readable.

Who chose these colors and can I change them to something useable?

I see this all over the internet too: light green or pale yellow on a white background are not unusual. Why is this?

Do programmers just hate old people?
Is this some kind of revenge?

Outlook 2010