That's a good question, Jim.<p>Instead of going with your example, which could get partisan in a hurry, take a look at IT projects. Ever been on an IT project that shouldn't exist? Say something that's not going to help anybody, probably won't even be released, and is going to waste a lot of time and money?<p>What do you do? How do you have a rational conversation about making something good when there is a legitimate view that it shouldn't exist at all?<p>I think you get it out in the open, talk it out, and rhetorically have at it. Then you put it away and leave it alone. Perhaps you could have a special section of the site for "why do this at all?" posts. People who kept venturing into that no-man's land could be directed there, instead of rehashing the same debate over and over again.<p>I'm with your competitors: government is a necessary evil and I do not wish it to successfully intrude into all areas of my personal life. But I can see your point too -- if we're going to do something, we can't make progress if some don't want <i>anything</i> to work.<p>So I say respect the dissenters, let them have their say, but don't let them ruin your momentum.