They're common, and I wish both Presidents and Governors in the US didn't have power of clemency as it circumvents the rule of law principle (as well as separation of powers), but as far as Presidents go it's written in the Constitution so you guys are kinda screwed on that one.

I could go into details about specific pardons I didn't like as an example but the mere mention of names would spark a political [censored]storm.

Doesn't a presidential pardon function mostly as oversight? If it's deemed the justice department is not acting in the interest of the people, a pardon allows that wrong to be corrected. Of course, it can be abused. That's more an argument for clarification on how and when pardons can be granted, rather than a justification to ax the entire concept.