erm i think some of the original article has used incorrect wording, when they say for example calling on other than Allah for help. It is not actually the case... you are still relying on Allah but asking others to supplicate for you the issue boils down to the dead being able to hear or not which is a disputed matter the article does not say we can fix our hopes in people and ask them for wealth etc the person is still supplicating to Allah and not the person he is using so it may be against sunnah to some people but i am not seeing how it is shirk? They still believe that only Allah has the power to grant them what they are asking for
When I hear this whole issue of asking the dead for help like asking them to make du'a for you, I get reminded of the mushriks of makkah who used the idols as intercessors instead of going to Allah directly. They would say, we only use these idols as intercessors between us and Allah because we are too inpure, and the idols are more closer to Allah. Something along these lines they would say.