I agree with most of what you say, but proposing (good) reforms can sometimes mobilize people, building strength so that maybe the bosses will make some concessions in the future. Reform proposals might show the absurdity and/or crime of the system to those not already converted. Reform proposals can also be defensive demands, something absolutely necessary these days. Movements that eventually changed society drastically for the better started out proposing reforms.
Also, some of the bosses may think it's a good idea, which might cause a split among our rulers. The Tobin Tax seems the kind of reform that would mobilize the FDRs of the future, since it might help save capitalism from deeper depression. Unless we can assume that depression automatically spawns socialist revolution, that seems a good idea.
The problem is when reform-mongering because the one and only goal and people forget that it's the political base -- the grass-roots organization of the oppressed -- that allows reforms to be promulgated.
Jim Devine jdevine at popmail.lmu.edu & http://clawww.lmu.edu/Departments/ECON/jdevine.html