Developers don't need to be mindless code punchers. They can be thoughtful individuals who say, "that's dumb", and then have a discussion with the PM on why that is dumb.

On the other hand, maybe development of software is a mindless endevour, and so the labor in this area must be cheap, right?! </sarcasm>

You're right, of course, but it's also true that in a real life environment, you've already found a polite way to say "that's dumb" three times this morning and you're starting to pick your battles.

This! Dilbert is a documentary not a cartoon. Devs work for businessfolk. Businessfolk have the control call the shots. Sure they'll listen to devs but get the final say.

Couch your suggestions in business terms? user engagement decreases when you don't let them save their passwords or some such drivel. honestly if you think businessfolk call all the shots, you may have a broken business relationship

Ultimately they call the shots because they'll judge the developers idea and say yay or nay. All a developer can do is influence and with a given number of battles to fight, password copy and paste may be a long way down there.

It requires getting promoted to management or board level to get the ultimate decision power. Some companies are more progressive when their board chooses to be but they can always revert back if they choose or get taken over.