The EGR system isn't there because hippies want to make your engine less powerful, it's there because the oxygen mix in the piston is an important factor for proper function of the engine.
Actually... It is a terrible system, this is one of those things the sounded OK on paper so "hippies" passes the laws to require it, but it has crabby unintended consequences. Some cars do OK with it, but others require frequent maintenance and cleaning!

I have seen many older cars that suffered from al the carbon deposits on: throttle bodies, intake valves and even injectors!

The only reason some cars need it, is because their ECUs are tuned to run with EGR.