Very naively, I wonder what happens if you just call Intel and complain about this. Say you want a way to remove the ME completely. They won't help you, but I wonder how they will justify making it compulsory if pressed.

Now if I call them, I wouldn't reach anybody important. But surely there are a couple of people on HN who are lawyers, CEOs, with the government etc.? If you have an imposing job and a few minutes to spare, I'd like to see what Intel has to say about this.