99 honda civic slow auto 1st gear?

I have a 99 civic lx (1.6L non-vtec) with an auto transmission, when I step on it from a dead start the RPM will go to about 4300 for 1st then shift to 2nd when I redline @ 6000 RPM why wont it go all the way up to redline in first gear? also when I step on the gas while going like 20/25/ even 30 mph it wont go into first and give the "big power" that I feel the car should have any suggestions or ideas why this happens? thanks