There is zero need for a ranged attack, per se. We need only a use for our GCD that does not require melee range. A ranged attack is one such means, but so too was Meditation.

We don't need to homogenize the means to a given capacity.

Hell, before TFC was nerfed to compensate for Deep Meditation, MNK's Meditation skill had by far the highest flexibility and potency-per-GCD of any non-melee weaponskill on a melee job.