Playing 99-JJ aggressively in EP preflop

[Buckmulligan]

The age old question... should you play your middle/high pocket pair (I would define that as 99-jj) aggressively preflop, or wait for a set. I believe that these hands cannot be raised from an early position, because your EV is nothing if the flop brings and overcard and no set, given that you probably have to check. By raising preflop with these, you are encouraging players with your scare cards to stay in; furthermore, you are encouraging them to play them aggressively on the flop. Therefore, if the value of these hands in EP is determined by the quality of the flop, I think is is best to come on with aggression if you hit a flop to your liking, rather than putting yourself in a position where you throw money in preflop and are handcuffed when the flop misses you.
Any imput on this?

[Ben]

I limp with these from EP.

I don't mind calling reasonable raises with them, hoping for the set or a flop with no overcards, but if I'm reraised big I can't really proceed and must fold.

-Ben