I'm really not sure I agree with that.
Yes, I practice instrument approaches and IMC flying so that I am not "out of practice". When I use it "in anger", I do so in the knowledge that I can fly on the gauges, and am within the limits of my ability. But my point remains - flying as the only pilot into IMC conditions is a lot harder than flying in VMC, and I still say that the IMC is a "get you home" rating. I don't know of any IMC rated pilots who would actually want to fly on a day when they are going straight into IMC for the duration anyway. I fly for my own enjoyment - professional pilots with IRs get paid to go up in the cr@p, and then they do it in pairs.....
I would say anyone who takes the IMC thinking it gives them the same, but slightly watered down, priviledges as a full IR is fooling themselves personally.
TA