Assuming it was lacquer. Probably it was Polymer and not lacquer. Not too much ammo with lacquer on it that's still produced.
Even if this was true, which I still doubt, there is silver bear, mfs, and a number of other steel case ammo; <$5 a box; that is "ZINC" Plated. It literally only costs pennies a box more than the brown bear, wolf, etc... and it doesn't even have the Polymer (Lacquer) debate. Silver Bear Zinc Plated can be found for $4 a box.
Now there isn't the excuse of the lacquer/polymer. But it's still up to each individual weapon. I have a 380 pistol that doesn't like Winchester. I already mentioned my walther doesn't like Corbon. Neither are bad ammo. Neither is steel. You just have to find what your rifle likes. In other words, don't order a case of steel ammo from "Cheaper than Dirt", have it perform poorly, and then say Steel cased ammo sucks. Go to walmart and buy some Tulammo. Try it. "It's only $4.79 a box". Try some silver bear, MFS, Brown Bear, Tula, Wolf, etc... Then when you find one your rifle likes, use it. Then, you can shoot more often and enjoy shooting more with the savings.
For those who really are against the steel ammo, you can sometimes find some brass ammo for about $7 a box. (That is minimum when considering tax or s/h). You're still paying about $2-$3 a box more than the steel, but it's better than the $4-$6 per box that you will normally pay.
FACTOIDS:
At a $3 a box savings: shooting 3 boxes of ammo (60 rounds) saves you enough to buy a new extractor.
Shooting 17 boxes of ammo (340 rounds) saves you enough money to buy a complete new assembled bolt for your AR.
Shooting 50 boxes (1000 round) saves you enough to buy a complete bolt carrier assembly.
At the average savings of $6 per box; $4 steel vs $10+ brass cased ammo:
Shooting 125 boxes (2500 rounds - 12 months if shooting 200 rounds per month), will save you enough money to buy a BRAND NEW S&W M&P15OR AR15. ($750)