[pharaohgeek]

At the risk of sounding (or even outright being) cruel, Mr. Smith's real problem is that of terrible financial management skills. Keep in mind that when he moved out there in the 70's, the Valley was not nearly as expensive as it is today. And, with a software engineer's salary during its heyday, he could have very easily purchased -- and paid off -- a place for him to live. As he, himself, said, he made a choice to stay in the area even after he lost his job. He could have made a choice to move somewhere cheaper.

At the age of 70, after a long -- and I'm assuming successful, based on his highest salary -- career, having only a "meager" savings is no one's fault but his own.

[jamesaguilar]

In some ways, it's even worse than that. Here's a guy who has been consuming from society at a high rate his whole life (necessarily, or else he would have money saved). When his lack of planning and laying-away comes back to bite him, it's Palo Alto's fault. I feel a lot more sympathy for people with mental issues or who have never been privileged enough to work a high-paying job.

[Xdes]

>At the age of 70, after a long -- and I'm assuming successful, based on his highest salary -- career, having only a "meager" savings is no one's fault but his own.

I sympathize with him. I do not intend to save since there is no point when the future of the country is so uncertain.

[smm2000]

If you have high salary now and do not save for retirement, I really hope you won't burden society when you are out of job at 65 by either dying young or living exclusively on social security. Spending all income is as selfish as it gets.

[Xdes]

We live in what is called a free country.