I found a really simple trick to bypass this really annoying trait.
I create a simple Wordpad document with the desired settings I want (including fixing the spacing).
I then delete every character, save one ( If you delete the last one Wordpad will default back to
Cambria - 11pt).
Now save this document as 'Document.rtf' or whatever name you want and to any directory you want.
Create a shortcut on your desktop to this file. Then rename the shortcut Wordpad.
Now whenever you open Wordpad thru this link you will have it open and ready to go with all your settings!
There will be of course one character there, but I start all my Wordpad encounters with copying & pasting
so I never notice it.
I realize this fix might not be what everyone wants, but for anyone who just opens Wordpad from their
desktop like me and many others it is a extremely simple fix to a most annoying problem.