To the Editor:

I do not consider the unwarranted interference by the Rhode Island General Assembly in the voluntary relationship between an employer and an employee to be “a good example of proactive, responsible government that is worthy of applause.” (“Cheers for making retirement planning easier,” Dec. 19)
In your editorial, you allow that the mandated RISavers program “might seem a tad authoritative.” That’s like saying a woman who is expecting might seem a tad bit pregnant.
For employers, this program is totally authoritative. Their participation is being coerced by the heavy hand of government. Have we been told what the penalties for non-compliance will be? Shouldn’t we know?
What I find particularly offensive about this proposal is that many members of the Assembly who voted for the law have no experience in running a successful small business themselves. And yet, in their arrogance, they want to dictate requirements to those employers who do.
For decades, Rhode Islanders have had a method to “shore up their retirement that doesn’t rely entirely on Social Security.” It’s called a savings account.
These accounts are available to everyone at their local bank or credit union. Nothing could be easier. And they are available without any government intervention. All that is required is a sense of personal responsibility.
If you think cradle-to-grave socialism is a good form of government, then I guess you might cheer on the RISavers program. However, as a believer in the benefits of free market capitalism, I do not find it worthy of any applause.

A.H. Liddle
Warwick