I'd still say the type system is there to help you in C, C++, and Java, it just doesn't do nearly as good a job of it,

Are you sure? :)

   Couldn't match type `b0' with `Step Builder IO a'
     because type variable `a' would escape its scope
   This (rigid, skolem) type variable is bound by
     a type expected by the context: Enumerator Builder IO a
   The following variables have types that mention b0
   [...]

I do love Haskell :) and usually the type system is there to help you.