[Groundless]

Do I honestly believe people can attain enlightenment? Yes I do.

Enlightenment is not something attained it is something you realize you already are.

Why would they have any need to write books, or become teachers? The ones that do are either very compassionate or people write about them and take advantage of their state to make money.

You summed that up well!

They want to feel good to make up for the fact that their normal state is so poor. To me, it's so obvious that there are no highs without the lows, and it's this elusive sense of "pleasure" that everyone seems to be striving for that leads me to believe that there is something fundamentally wrong with our belief systems.

I believe also, correct!

Is there higher desire, or is every desire, no matter how "noble" it seems, just a way to pump up our self image? Should we be trying to fulfill it, or curb it? I just don't know, but I intend to find out.

Good for you!

On this entire topic:

Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj said (1973,p. 5):

I see what you see too could see, here and now, but for the wrong focus of attention. You give no attention to your self. Your mind is with all things, people and ideas, never with your self. Bring your self into focus and become aware of your own existence. See how you function, WATCH THE MOTIVES AND THE RESULTS OF YOUR ACTIONS {my emphasis}. Study the prison you have built around yourself, by inadvertance. By knowing what you are not you come to know your self. The way back to yourself is through refusal and rejection. One thing is certain: the real is not imaginary, it is not a product of the mind. Even the sense "I AM" is not continuous, though it is a useful pointer; it shows where to seek, but not what to seek. Just have a good look at it. Once you are convinced that you cannot say truthfully about yourself anything except "I AM", and that nothing can be pointed at, can be your self, the need for the "I AM" is over - you are no longer intent on verbalizing what you are. All you need is to get rid of the tendency to define your self. all definitions apply to your body only and to its expressions. once this obsession with the body goes, you will revert to your natural state, spontaneously and effortlessly. The only difference between us is that I am aware of my natural state, while you are bemused. Just like gold made into ornaments has no advantage over gold dust, except when the mind makes it so, so are we one in being - we differ only in appearance. WE DISCOVER IT BY BEING EARNEST, ENQUIRING, QUESTIONING DAILY, AND HOURLY BBY GIVING ONE'S LIFE TO THIS DISCOVERY."

It appears to me you are doing well on the path.