“Dr. P; Not sure who or what your were responding to but you make some good points.”
I was responding to your post, your original post didn’t mention Medicare/Medicaid.
I understood what you were saying and yes if the goverment can spend $100 today to avoid spending several thousand dollars 5 or 10 years in the future (depending on your assumed discount rate), it should do so.
But…
I feel that the government should spend money on these people when they’re young to point them in the correct direction- this will enable them to take care of themselves when they get older and save the goverment much more than the initial investment.
I also feel that the goverment should spend $100 now to lock up petty thieves for the night and teach them a lesson before they potentially spend in the millions when the person becomes a murderer.
However there has to be a line drawn somewhere- as to what the goverment will cover for the takers at the expene of the makers.