# List of Obsolete Governmental Programs

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/list-of-obsolete-governmental-programs/640278>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [November 7, 2012, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/list-of-obsolete-governmental-programs/640278 "2012-11-07T21:02:44Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![Derleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Derleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Derleth)\
**Post date:** [November 9, 2012, 4:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/list-of-obsolete-governmental-programs/640278/21 "2012-11-09T04:34:00Z")

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> [@chargerrich](#):
>
> the truth is closer to the middle than either aisle. 😉

I see the fallacy of the mean is alive and well.

In addition to what **Yllaria** said about liars, this is simply lazy thinking. No, strike that: This is what lazy people do _instead of_ thinking.\* It circumvents any possible discussion with “Well, you’re both right”, which is what adults say to children squabbling over something that isn’t important. In case you haven’t noticed, the business of government _is_ important. It decides lives, and you aren’t allowed to ignore it, because it refuses to ignore _you_.

\*(It’s also what cynical people in the newsmedia do to create the illusion of conflict, because the illusion of conflict will generate the reality of increased viewership and ad sales.)

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