Steve,
The KYMCO Like 50 2T is heavily restricted that way by law, a Federal requirement, so 50cc scoots are all supposed to be that way in the beginning without removing restrictions. The laws have gotten more strict. And, yes, they are dangerously slow without removing these restrictions.
When the scooters are shipped, they COME WITH the speed kit, which includes a non-restrictive variator bushing (boss drive, as you may have heard) and a larger carburetor jet. Dealers usually charge between 80.00 and 100.00 to install these kits, depending on their labor rate. It could be that your dealer may have had that part missing for some reason.
Sounds to me like you have a "dealer" problem, not a KYMCO USA problem. Your dealer should have a non-restrictive variator bushing lying around OR could borrow one from another scooter OR take the restricted one on your scooter off and take it to a machine shop and have the restrictive area machined off. Your dealer should also be able to take the main jet out that's in the carb now and drill it out with a carb jet drill bit to the size of the unrestricted main jet that comes with the scooter.
Don't be so hard on KYMCO, as they are stand-up, solid company. I GUARANTEE your problem is the dealer, or at least based on what you have written about your situation thus far. Don't believe everything your dealer is telling you. BTW, how long has your KYMCO dealer been around?