There needs to be a simple way to convert text to path. (The utility of this is begin able to use parts of the pdf file in illustrator without having the fonts.) Googling this shows there is demand for the feature. Currently the feature sort of exists in the "flatten transparency" settings, but it does not work correctly if there is no transparent feature in the pdf. The workaround is to add a watermark or other transparent object, THEN edit the flatten settings. Silly workaround for a common enough need. I'd call this a bug, since the flatten options clearly include a "convert text to path" option, it just doesn't work unless there is transparency in the pdf.