IMO, as long as discrete codes exist that's all that's needed. It's not necessary to clutter a pack-in remote with buttons for those codes. Most people who set up a universal remote aren't learning codes from an original remote.

IMO, every device should have both toggle and discrete codes. I dislike it when a toggle is missing. Lucky for me, with URC's software I can actually make my own toggle commands.

The big issue is that a lot of manufacturers don't include discrete code support in the product at all, forget about their remote. That's a nice indicator of why I don't think CEC is going to be the silver bullet. Most manufacturers just don't try hard enough to integrate their own solutions, let alone play nice with products from other companies.