behavioral economics and the science of change

 

http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1889153,00.html

 

is it just me, or does this article seem, well...orwellian with an economic twist.  perhaps "big brother" can carry us out of the economic crisis on the back of behavioral economics and government's vision of what's best for society.  is this really a desirable function of government?  are these the same politicians that lie, steal, cheat, and avoid paying taxes in their scramble to gain positions of power?  maybe they really do know best?  the author does note that "libertarian paternalism" - the idea of public officials , even "well-meaning" ones, trying to engineer our private behavior to produce change, can be a bit creepy.  when i read articles like this i have to blink twice to make sure that the emperor is indeed running amok naked because the authors paint such a vivid picture of the emperor in his elaborate new regal garb.  is this really what i voted for?  perhaps the obama team should change their mantra from "change" to "he ain't heavy father, he's my brother!"