I assume that Ron was just being an ass to sam. You don't give your son/daughter a Porsche for their first car. And anyway, maybe the goverment was paying them hush money. Maybe that's how they are able to pay for the paris trip and Sam's education..
Ron is a self made man. He wants to pass that on to Sam. So he made a deal with his son that if he got good grades and earned $2000 he'd pay the other $2000 for a car. He probably could afford to by Sam one with good financing. But that would set a bad example for his son. As for the landscaping. It is either part of his profession, or it is his hobby. He baby's his lawn. He wants everything just right. He could easily afford to hire out, but he'd rather take pride in a job well done. As for college, the government isn't paying for it otherwise why would he bitch about the price? The government will pay for Transformer damage yes. But it isn't going to simply pay for Sam's tuition. The money probably comes from a huge hush hush settlement yes, but it is like they won the lottery and were given a huge check. Sam's education, the Paris trip, etc all come from this. The wall bumblebee blasted will be payed for by the government. My best guess is still that Ron is either: (a) A landscaper/small business owner, (b) works for the city in development, (c) restores cars and or body shop/mechanic shop owner. that or the previously mentioned Union boss/demolition and construction consultant. Ron is a fairly smart man despite no formal college education. He is self made and most likely self taught.
I always imagined him as Janitor/council worker. Maybe Judy has a Job too ?? The Car could be from his father and the House too.
He also works on his yard a lot, only has one son... sounds like he might have a narrow urethra also. Yep.
didnt leo say he background checked sam when they first met? he said something like "im poor, your poor, we're gonna fix that... blah blah blah...kitten calender...blah blah blah..... ftj ...blah blah... real effin deal" if my paraphrase is correct than it could give a clue to his job.
He's a supervisor in the risk management department for the Department of Water and Power in the great state of California.