Same has make different saves and use load to get back to a stage where you werent so screwed so that you can try a different tactic/strategy?
For me you can use it or not, this can be right or wrong or maybe none of both. Is just about the way you enjoy more and if you can resist or not. Some used in the past and not anymore. Also about till where is it producers responsability. This game is far more easy with save/load becouse of the fast time that takes to build the Stactic Defenses and you knowing the right place. FPSgame producers use the checkpoints to convert it and makes the game much much more enjoyable, but what about strategic games? is there so many allowed different saves without overwrighting why? So who uses it sometimes and who doesnt? Also dont lie to yourself, I use it ->sometimes<- (though maybe ill try not much anymore) and still I not a bad game player at all, not that it matters.
Here is a link to GamesPot where I noted my game http://www.gamespot.com/pc/strategy/sinsofasolarempire/show_msgs.php?topic_id=m-1-41309202&pid=935993 and it can influence this game more than other in a certain way, also in my opinion producers should modiffy to not allow it. Im just curious becouse, though it might already be a familiar issue to you, its the first time for me thinking of it. And I have nothing else to do too. Also good game in general, congratulations, I hope some things get fixed tough.