The Loss of Universal Browser Read

Hi
   In the latest versions of Firefox, Universal Browser Read privileges are gone, and I used the heck out of that feature.... but all locally.  So, I WISH (fervently) that Universal Browser Read would be again allowed in scripts on LOCAL webpages (file:///).  Yes, I know such permissions are allowed for plugins accessing files within the 'chrome' environment, but that is a genuine pain... and so is launching a web server and moving the files I want to 'present' to myself into ITS public folders and using XmlHttpRequest.  I am no expert in browser security, but I cannot see (from my narrow view) a reason why file reading (and even writing) cannot be allowed for local webpages (file:///).  PLEASE consider bringing this feature back for scripts within local files.  THANKS!