If you are serious about gaining the maximum chances to win a game as white you have to play 1.d4. It is by far the best for multiple reasons.
It is very dynamic, you can play sharp lines or play very safe and calm lines depending on what you want.
It is very very complex, there are a lot more choices than for example in e4 lines. Alone against the Kingsindian Defence White can choose between 10 continuations which then subdivide in multiple different ways to follow up.
It is a must play if you want a draw or equal position against a stronger player. Playing d4 allows you to get dry and equal or at least very balanced positions by force if you know how. If you play 1.e4 black can for example play the Sicilian which WILL lead to imbalanced and sharp positions which favor the better player.
With 1.d4 you can build up a repertoire with a lot of dynamics, where you can choose between different options. For example instead of always following the mainlines you can also go with the Veresov or Colle or Trompovsky. You can switch move orders in most 1.d4 variations which gives you extra options.
If you are decently booked up with White as a 1.d4-player you can not have any trouble in or after the opening.
Period.
You're entitled to your own opinion, of course (and you're clearly rated much higher than I am), but I just want to point out that the Ruy Lopez, a very strong opening which has also been called the strongest opening for White, begins 1.e4. It's the oldest opening in chess which is still frequently used.
Nobody should ever open d4. Games that start that way are always constipated and not worth playing. I still can't understand why anybody would want to totally spoil the game from the very first move.
Yeah sure. Somebody is going to say, "because you can win." Would you let your opponent give you a cigar burn in exchange for letting you win?
You are joking, right? Of course you are! I will nevertheless answer your post in the case that some beginners will perhaps take you seriously . Beginning with 1.d4 means that you have to understand much better how to play in the center then after the moves 1.e4 e5. I mean, the fight for the center after 1.d4 is more complex. This fact reveals already in the very first moves. After 1.e4 e5 most games continue with 2. Nf3. However, after 1.d4 d5 (or 1. Nf6, both moves preventing 2. e4) the move 2. Nc3 is rather rare in master chess. Since the pawn d5 is defended by the Queen, White have to play 2.c4 (or play the Cole, as Artur Yusupov and Susan Polgar often did). The nice thing about 2.c4 is that you can play this move without the risk if compared with 1.e4 e5 2.f4. The Queen's Gambit is one of the most common openings in the so-called closed games, You will definitively not spoil your game after 1.d4, believe me. But you certainly have to know what you are doing.
Certainly not joking. Just look at what you are suggesting... total constipation. It's like having spinach for desert. Most people play chess for fun. Opening d4 defeats the purpose. It is better to play 20 fun moves and lose than to play 75 tedious moves and win.
I can see why chess professionals would play d4. There can be serious money at stake. There are a lot of unpleasant things that I am willing to do for money like my job. For a weekend duffer though? Why not do something more exciting like a jigsaw puzzle?
Boring, constipation. Tell me, did you had bad experiences playing against 1.d4? This would explain your trauma against this move.