Why is Crafting still in the game?

[XiaoliVorgan]

i don't disagree but it doesn't stop them making you "the hero" in the main story.

all they have to do to involve crafters without losing the value of raids is make raids drop EX materia instead of gear, that you need high level crafters to Meld before they are actually useful.

As "a hero" I'm dissapointed that in all the cutscenes, I'm standing off to the side, not saying or doing anything other than nodding my head. Some hero I am.