Croposition... Jim you are a master of word mergers
I vote: NOT CHEATING.
Simply, If it needs it... do it.
Or if it'll give your shot a different feel... do it or don't.
It's really up to you... the photographer.
It's always awesome if you can get the compostion exactly they way you want it right off the bat... but it doesn't always happen. So with the digital world amongst us...
why not utilize it!?
Personally... I crop, edit, play around with all the different things photoshop has to offer... It's just too much fun not to.
There are many shots I just leave as is, but so many that need just a small crop to make it perfect (in my own eyes).
Great topic!!!