Is there a word or phrase defining a bad faith argument that something is not worth doing?

Question

I feel like there is a logical fallacy or bad faith argument for a claim that something is pointless, worthless, or has no effect:

"Contact your congresspeople!"

"There's no point. It doesn't do anything."

I'm having trouble locating the actual term, though.

Answer 1

Defeatism

[Merriam Webster]

• an attitude of accepting, expecting, or being resigned to defeat

Or somewhat related fatalism

[Merriam Webster]

• (belief in) a doctrine that events are fixed in advance so that human beings are powerless to change them

Answer 2

Negativism seems like a good fit.

• "The practice or habit of being skeptical, critical, or pessimistic, especially toward the views or suggestions of others." TFD

• "An attitude of mind marked by skepticism especially about nearly everything affirmed by others" MW

• negativist (noun)

• negativistic (adj) e.g. a negativistic behaviour

Answer 3

"To contact our congress people' is fallacious!"

fallacious TFD adj

3. delusive or disappointing; unsoundly or defectively reasoned or argued: a fallacious hope.

Answer 4

empty suggestions

I would suggest using the word "empty" - I do not think there is any idiomatic phrase.

An "empty" proposal would have a different ring than "futile" - suggesting more "bad faith"

empty https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/empty ADJECTIVE

1Containing nothing; not filled or occupied. ‘she put down her empty cup’ ‘the room was empty of furniture’

2) (of words or a gesture) lacking meaning or sincerity.

‘their promises were empty words’

3) Having no value or purpose.

so perhaps:

"empty proposals" might be another choice