[gutvol-d] the issues with using stylesheets across many documents

i'd like to assure myself that there is experience here on the issues with using stylesheets across many documents. how would you sum up _the_major_question_, and answer it? what problems typically arise? what are some workarounds? when/how/why do workarounds cause their own problems? anyone who has worked extensively with stylesheets knows their magical power is typically matched by an ornery ability to mess things up too, and very badly. is that expertise here? please, someone, show me that it is, with a detailed treatment. (or else i will have to come in and give one, and you all know how insufferable my superior tone can be, right?). thank you. -bowerbird