I've talked with an Orthodox Jew who thought the Shabbos goy was very contrary to the spirit of the law-- he said (I haven't verified this) that Shabbos goyim were first instituted in north-eastern Europe where keeping a fire going in the winter was a matter of life and death, and therefore required-- but that Shabbos goyim were eventually employed for matters of mere comfort and convenience.

In Orthodox Judaism, based on Biblical passages, the Sabbath was given to Israel. As you mention non-Jew's are neither expected nor encouraged to keep the Sabbath.

That being said, despite the popular notion of a "Shabbos Goy" it is generally forbidden in Orthodox Judaism to benefit from a gentile's violation of the Sabbath. One is certainly forbidden to tell a non-Jew to break the Sabbath.You are not allowed to have a non-Jew turn on the light for you and he did it without being asked you may not utilize the light. While there are some exception most of them have weak support. A notable exception is a great deal of leniency was practiced with regards to non-Jew's starting fires on the Sabbath to heat homes, since this could be a health issue.