Well, the certifying authorities have said that it has to be operational because they believe that it offers the best protection to the occupants in the event of a spin. Cirrus also believe this - so why would they spend a lot of money re-certifying the aircraft to a lower safety standard?
I see it as analagous to a stick pusher. A Pilatus PC12 has one of those. It adds weight and complexity, and it is there because the manufacturer and the regulators agreed that it offered the best protection for the occupants. You're not allowed to fly a PC12 if it is inoperative. It's not that Pilatus have cut corners and the PC12 is too dangerous to fly without the pusher - it's just the way they designed their aircraft to meet the certification standards.