You are basically signaling what type of person you are, divulging critical information to the hiring manager when you do this.
Specifically, you are saying that you will not put up with BS. The problem is, work is generally at least 60% BS, and as a hiring manager, you want someone who will put up with the shit to get to the glory. And you really want someone who believes there is glory to be had - that person will outwork anyone else.
So you've signaled that you will not outwork others and that you will not put up with BS - you're interviewing and have already exposed yourself as a flight risk willing to do less than a theoretical other person would.
So yeah, they will pass on you in droves unless you have some unique aspect to your profile that makes you uniquely qualified.
Did you write the book on what the company is trying to do? If yes, more power to you - people put up with Steve Jobs to get access to his potential. Maybe you're worth it.
If not, you'll have to find someone who appreciates you and your values. And forget company value statements - that shit means nothing in the day-to-day. What you're basically looking for is a hiring manager with strong values aligned to yours, who also has the power to do the hire. And you'll find him if you look hard enough.
Why does the responsibility for toxic culture and unethical behavior fall on me, the applicant, the one with the least amount of power and leverage in the interview process? Why do companies get free passes on ridiculous behavior while I am supposed to compromise what I believe in to placate others? I'm asking a philosophical question, of course, but it's an important one: If not enough people stand up for themselves, we get worker mistreatment and toxic work environments.
Here's your mistake: They're not asking you what happened.
They're saying, "Tell us diplomatically why you left your last employer without blaming anyone and coming across as a friendly person we want to work with."
One thing software development allows you to do is work remotely from a beach (if that's your cup of tea). That way you don't have to deal with all that office nonsense ;-)
Just a few hours ago, I got off a recruiter phone call where the woman wanted me to sugar-coat my history with my former employers when I went to interview. I told her, "No, if they ask what happened I have no issues telling them." If you're an interviewer and you get offended by me stating the facts--that many companies just downright suck--then that tells me all I need to know about your own insecurities.