I'll opine on this one: First and foremost a bad disc brake is always going to be worse than a good v-brake setup, and a good disc brake is always going to be better than a poor v-brake setup. Much has to depend on the quality of the brake you get.
Personally, I think good discs are better than good v-brakes, but I definitely don't think discs should be used or that I'd recommend them every time. And of course good discs do come with a price: financially, usually in weight, usually more complexity (rear rack fitting issues are not uncommon) and not to mention they do make your bike more attractive to thieves. I'm not sure I buy that discs can be easier setup and maintenance wise than v-brakes -just my experience but since I can't stand dragging disc brakes I've found I've spent far more time adjusting disc calipers and straightening discs to avoid that dreadful "shrrap shraappp" noise.
I think what you do get with good disc brakes are usually better modulation and power and better control, as well as improved braking in the wet and less rim wear. And as previous posters have mentioned whichever v-brake I'd have, I'd put Koolstop salmons in them (recently I've been using an old ht mtb with LX brakes and levers running koolstops and I've been surprized how good they are.)
I have discs on my touring bike; I really wanted them, but now in retrospect I think they were not really necessary, just a really nice "to have" thing. Not that I'd ever take them off as I prefer them to v's or cantis, but for the cost involved I'm not sure they're worth it. Good v-brakes with salmon Koolstops are more than adequate for the road -however having said that if your bike came with good discs I wouldn't take them off.
You pays your money, you takes your choice.