The 1998 Missal was ritually and theologically deficient and the language was not as good as it is made out to be.  Regarding the ritual deficiencies, just to give some examples, Memorial Acclamation A was completely ommitted, the threefold repetition of the "mea culpa" was glossed over, and a dialogued Apostles Creed, completely foreign to the rite, was introduced as a valid option in place of the Nicene Creed.  

Regarding theological deficiencies, note the number of times in the propers where God is the subject in the Missale Romanum the congregation becomes the subject in the ICEL.

Regarding language, 1998 for example gives us the clunker "Glory to God in the highest and peace to God's people on Earth".  Yes, the propers are better than 1973 and at least better English than 2011 (but sometimes different in meaning in problematic ways) but to ignore this kind of thing while pointing out the deficiencies in 2011 is to apply a double standard.

The way forward is through the present.