Snacky --
I agree with you, wholeheartedly. However, with the other chains out there and their promotions, I feel Marriott has fallen way behind, and I have said so here on many occasions, and have had to endure the slings thrown at me for good measure.
However, if you are so intent on becomin a Marriott Silver, and in light of the other promotions I do not know why, then why don't you do it the easy way and just get the FUSA credit card for $30? You get automatic Silve status, and if they were to pull that away from you, you have leverage by just canceling the card. That way you do not have to spend 16 nights at Marriotts, and you can concentrate on increasing your stays at hotel chains where you have a real chance of increasing your elite status.