we're not drags on society, but we darn well are the supporters with all our taxes...
I've been keeping these kinds of hours as a software/hardware engineer since 1977. Early on, it was more hardware and teaching microprocessors courses at the local college. The extra income allowed me to pursue and earn a fixed wing private pilot license.
I have been a net taxpayer every year since age 16. Taxation steals between 50 and 60 percentage of my earned income. Obama's crash of the markets wiped out half of my 401k, so I'll be working longer than I wanted. No big deal. I still run harder and faster than anyone else on the program. As long as I can tolerate the hours, I intend to keep working at that level.
“well I’m still working at age 63, and probably will go at least one more year, maybe more...”
I’m 67 and still work full time as I watch the youngsters text message every five minutes.