I think you could make a neat little finance problem out of this question if you included some more variables so that you could compute the present value of an annuity for his future salary.
Just pulling a number out of the air? If I made $40K I think I would give it all and sell my story to Oprah.
I think the ruling set a good precedent in one way: citizen-powered law-making is a good thing and that power should be protected.
As far as upholding prop 8 goes, I have a feeling that it will eventually go the way of the dodo.
Even though this setback seems agonizing, the victory will be even more thrilling because it will come at the ballot from the power of the people.
Check out this supporting evidence, it is the best argument for the existence of God that I have ever read.