There seems to be a general view
here that the journals do not contribute anything and are just extracting profit for doing nothing. While not to defend Elsevier, and their generally high prices and low standards this is to understimate the work that DOES go into them from the publishing industry.
They ARE edited and copy-edited - and this can be quite extensive, especially in the case of non-native english speakers. Not all journals are primary research only. Reviews journals activley comission content, and can play a part in trying to focus debate etc. Conversly, editors reject papers with no merit before someone has to go the trouble of peer reviewing it. Peer reviewing requires a more input from those organising it than an outline of the process would suggest.
Whatever model you use, these things need to be done. Who by and where in the process is another question.