Hold your horses for a second, Bman.
Everyone understands that images of the cards can be easily and freely distributed online, and gamers can use those images to get the same overall effect. But do you really think the original cards have no value? Protip: that's WRONG.
How much do those limited edition Skylanders toys sell for on eBay, when ones that are functionally identical (and in my opinion, more interesting in how they are colored) can be purchased for much less? Why are professionally printed cards even being provided as a bonus item or in other regions if NoA's distribution strategy is really just to give everyone access to every "virtual card" online?
Introducing rare, collectible objects changes the way some people view a game -- even if ownership of those objects isn't required to play or to receive the in-game effects. Maybe it doesn't change anything for you, and maybe you are more than happy to print out proxy cards. But other people who dislike the way this is being handled have every right to hold and express their opinions.
That said, I don't consider printing off images of a card I find online nearly as convenient or attractive or as enjoyable as having actual cards to collect and trade with friends. My personal opinion is that NoA is missing the boat on this one, and I think that Skylanders and Pokemon both show that there is a huge potential market for a game that handles this right.