I’m sorry, this is ambiguous. Does “this” refer to the second half of your post, my post, or both?
Stepping through some of the math, in case others are interested:
Assume the people in question earn the median American salary- 6 years of not working is 2*6*$32k=$384k, and add on the cost of imprisoning them: 2*6*$22k=$264k. So the lawyer is doing damage to the tune of $648,000, and in return is putting $5,000 (that’s .77%) to use saving people. Let’s assume they’re earning, say, the Liberian per capita GDP (which is generally higher than median income) of $424, and again make the charitable assumption that the $5000 converts into 450 years of lifespan. We’ve added $190,800 by keeping them alive.
Net dollar loss: $457k. So this lawyer’s participation in the system is eating half a million dollars per year; is that worth “extended lives in Liberia”—“imprisoned years in America”? I strongly suspect not.
This is the kind of response I want: one that doesn’t say “damn the numbers”.
I’m sorry, this is ambiguous. Does “this” refer to the second half of your post, my post, or both?
Stepping through some of the math, in case others are interested:
Assume the people in question earn the median American salary- 6 years of not working is 2*6*$32k=$384k, and add on the cost of imprisoning them: 2*6*$22k=$264k. So the lawyer is doing damage to the tune of $648,000, and in return is putting $5,000 (that’s .77%) to use saving people. Let’s assume they’re earning, say, the Liberian per capita GDP (which is generally higher than median income) of $424, and again make the charitable assumption that the $5000 converts into 450 years of lifespan. We’ve added $190,800 by keeping them alive.
Net dollar loss: $457k. So this lawyer’s participation in the system is eating half a million dollars per year; is that worth “extended lives in Liberia”—“imprisoned years in America”? I strongly suspect not.
Your post! I am very pleased that someone examined their gut reaction to my scenario with numbers. :)
Then I’m glad I asked, because I read that the other way first and my first draft reflected that :P