Shutting down the shuttle program with no replacement left us with no manned spaceflight capability.
I find that to be a bad situation.
There was some risk, but so far it’s been less costly, probably safer, and hasn’t caused us any problems other than some concern that relations with Russia could deteriorate further.
We’re at the point now that a United States crewed vehicle could be sent to the ISS within a few months if there was an emergency.
They keep making this sound like it is rocket science!