Yes, we should. F.ex, a troll may be downvoted and considered for delete votes (so that the node is auto-reaped) without having to get approved first. On the other hand, way-off-topic posts can be worthwhile to discuss and may earn upvotes, but shouldn't necessarily be approved.

It is true that people often forget to think of approving - but there also level < 6 posters who can vote but not approve.

So yes, I think it's just fine as is. Eventually it will be approved if it's worth being. It can always be reached via Newest Nodes regardless of approval anyway.

Makeshifts last the longest.