Crosshair,
You raise some very valid points but although the modern astronauts are only in LEO, they are doing tasks - working - in space in a way that was practically unheard of 40 years ago. They have repaired satellites. They have built a space station.
It might be worthwhile to remember the opinions of the late, great Pete Conrad (Commander of Apollo 12, third man to step onto the Moon). He often remarked that the Apollo 12 lunar landing - although fantastic - was NOT the highlight of his career. He considered his Skylab I mission to be the 'jewel in the crown'. He had to repair a broken space station, and make it ready for others to follow.
And let's not forget that the astronauts who are joining today are likely to be making moonwalks - and possibly even Mars missions, if they want to stay around. Look at John Young: 2 x Gemini flights, 2 x Apollo flights, 2 x Shuttle flights (including the maiden flight of the Shuttle).