Of finance and fads

The interview with professor Laurence J. Kotlikoff and the subtle but encouraging and disingenuous "Spend till the End" theme reminds me of the latest diet fad, i.e., follow the premise at your own peril ("A different take on retirement," July 6). How about this approach? Instead of scratch tickets and trips to Foxwoods and Vegas, take 10 percent of your disposable income and try to find a Highland Capital Partners Fund (substitute any authentic venture capital firm whose reputation precedes them) or a managed portfolio full of bridge loans with equity kickers. In other words, put money at risk (perceived in my view) into a diversified portfolio, managed by someone with a track record for returns well over most over-the-top expectations, and look for home runs rather than bunting to get on base.

The problem is finding such a vehicle. The regulators don't want most of us treading in dangerous waters and want this space exclusively for "sophisticated investors." These would be the same people who were killed by Bear Stearns. My guess is that Wall Street will wake up to this oversight and create a new pool for the fish to swim in. After all, with a dearth of products, interest rates keeping cash in piggy banks, and little conversation about the "market" at cocktail parties, the financial services industry needs some fresh blood and new hope. What better way than to make speculation the new watchword?

Marshall Sterman, Swampscott

I had to laugh at the article ("Fewer flights, fewer delays," July 8). "Fewer flights" really means less equipment in the air. My 17-year-old son was on an American Airlines flight scheduled to arrive in Boston at 10:20 p.m. on June 28. Logan International Airport's website proclaimed an on-time arrival. Meanwhile, my young son called to say, "It might leave Chicago at 11:45 p.m. if the equipment arrives." At 10:30 p.m. I had a conversation with a Logan agent who insisted that it was scheduled to arrive on time (but it was already 10 minutes late). "How can it arrive on time," I asked, "when it hasn't even left Chicago?" He replied, "Can't answer that, miss. I just know the system says it will arrive on time."

The Logan website was finally updated, and every five minutes the departure time was pushed back. At 11:50 p.m. I received a text reading, "Boarding! Keep your fingers crossed!" Sometime after 3:30 a.m., with luggage and son in the car, I headed home.

Mary E. Williams
Reading

"Healthcare costs must be brought under control, or the economy will surely suffer," (July 2) makes many good points. Employers who feel compelled to individually provide coverage in our expensive system are at a competitive disadvantage compared to employers in other countries where healthcare is an overall societal responsibility rather than an individual (employer or employee) one - and hence more integrated and efficient. The US employee whose boss doesn't provide coverage can try to find another domestic employer who does, but seldom has the real option to seek a foreign employer to obtain coverage.

Gordon Gullahorn
Somerville

HAVE AN OPINION? Letters intended for publication should include the writer's name, address, and daytime phone number. All letters are subject to editing. E-mail letters to business@globe.com; fax to 617-929-3183; or mail to Business Letters, The Boston Globe, P.O. Box 55819, Boston, MA 02205-5819.