Well, gladly add me to this list... I've been making gripes about this since my first glimpse of 2006 figures.
-Han SOlo Carbonite
-Veers
-Derlin
-Scorch (Republic Commando)
I'm just not sure what happened between 2004/2005 and 2006. Figures are seeing some serious regression in quality with a spike in price at many retail/etail outlets. I'm pretty disappointed in this. Cost increases plus quality decreases suck.
Even if you "don't care" about this, you really ought to at least throw some support to those who do as it's only an improvement when figure's have knee articulation.
My personal "standard" articulation that most figures would have in the basic 3.75" figure line would mimic that of the "Cantina Wave" from 2004/05. There would be:
-2 shoulder joints (ball/socket or standard)
-2 angle-cut elbow joints (ball/socket elbows used occassionally)
-2 wrist joints
-1 neck joint (ball/socket or standard)
-1 waist joint
-2 standard hip joints
-2 ball/socket knee joints
I love super articulation, don't get me wrong, and I'd use it quite liberally throughout the line if possible, but at the same time I think the above "12 articulation points standard", and in that confguration (IE: none of this ankle joint crap if the figure has no knee joints) is the most ideal "standard". It should only be improved upon or not quite as good in special circumstances like army builders or senator figures respectively.
This line's for "Action figures", not statues, and leg joints that don't pose any better than an action figure from 1983 is just kind of pathetic. Everything increases in quality for the most part but Hasbro has to step up articulation to a new standard, not just a whimsical thing they pull out when they feel like it.