http://mindhacks.com/2008/04/16/cognitive-biases-as-public-policy/ Neuroscience and psychology news and views. Wed, 19 Jun 2013 23:46:28 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.com/ http://mindhacks.com/2008/04/16/cognitive-biases-as-public-policy/#comment-6725 Thu, 17 Apr 2008 00:59:49 +0000 http://mindhacksblog.wordpress.com/2008/04/16/cognitive-biases-as-public-policy/#comment-6725 Obviously, the LATIMES wouldn’t know a “libertarian” from a “libertine” or a “libation”. I’d expect better from MindHacks. The idea that a 401k choice, a Hobson’s choice construction of the “tax code”, could in ANY way be associated with the word “libertarian” is … is … as far fetched as ‘jumbo shrimp’, ‘honest politician’, or any other self-referential paradox. Libertarianism is the belief that all people are endowed by their Creator with the right to be free of force. Fraud is a form of force. Taxes are a fancy name for theft. Manipulating people into doing what the elite have decided is “best” for them is a fraud. It’s slavery without the chains. If a 401k choice is so great then how come it’s so hard to sell? Are people stupid? Or perhaps, remembering how the rules can change, like when the rules changed on the tax status of social security benefits, people do not want to buy into the gooferment’s propaganda. A libertarian would want to eliminate all taxes. No 401k needed. Isn’t it immoral to force people to pay for something, anything, that they did not specifically agree to in advance. Freely. Libertarians love free market choices; not forced or fraudulent choices!

]]> http://mindhacks.com/2008/04/16/cognitive-biases-as-public-policy/#comment-6724 Wed, 16 Apr 2008 19:00:32 +0000 http://mindhacksblog.wordpress.com/2008/04/16/cognitive-biases-as-public-policy/#comment-6724 I think it’s a great idea to provide automatic 401(k) enrollment, and it’s an idea that’s had backing in Congress, but has yet to pass http://www.house.gov/emanuel/savingsagenda.shtml
Both progressive groups like AARP have supported it: http://www.aarp.org/research/work/benefits/enhancing_401k.html and conservative groups like Heritage Foundation: http://www.heritage.org/research/socialsecurity/wm1637.cfm
I am not sure why it hasn’t passed yet. So long as folks can opt out, if they wish to, and have control of their investment choices, I think it’s a great idea!
I wonder if there are other ways to promote this sort of approach. Maybe automatic organ donor registry with opt out? Or automatic voter registration? Hummm…..

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