Bounding boxes on rectangles for adjusting size do not appear properly

[cliffh18429597]

In one of Illustrator's updates it seems they changed how bounding boxes appear and size on rectangles. In the past three "dots" would appear on long thin rectangles. Clicking and Dragging the center one would size the rectangle proportionately. Now it is necessary to zoom way in to be able to see that center "dot".  This may seem silly as why not just zoom in? But in my projects, I have to draw hundreds of these "skinny" rectangles and then join them together and zooming in and out constantly wastes time. Maybe there is a shortcut I am missing? 

Hard to explain the issue.  See attached files.

[Monika Gause]

About which "preivous" and "current" version exactly are we talking?

Did you try all combinations of "Show/Hide bounding box" and "Show/hide shape widgets"?

[Myra Ferguson]

Does it work to press E to get the Free Transform Tool?