Ladder logic is fine for what it was originally intended for. However just like BASIC a lot of complex features have been kluged in. The problem with 'simple languages' is that when you grow beyond 'simple' they become a real burden. I have seen, and had to modify, ladder programs with 1000s of rungs and every darn kluge feature used, to figure out what is going on takes an inordinate amount of time.
That said, for simple applications much can be said in favor of ledder logic.

Erik