[CuriouslyC]

Bankruptcy is a good way to deal with crushing medical debt.

You can go to a community college for next to nothing, while sharing a room with several other people, and eating ramen and microwave burritos, then cover a good portion of the costs with a Pell grant, food stamps and some needs based scholarships. After a few years, you can transfer to a 4 year university for a profitable major, take out student loans and complete your degree (this should be doable for 16-24 grand). You might have to work part time to pull this off but not more than 1-2 days a week.

I don't think there are many valid excuses for being unsuccessful beyond your early 30s.

I am ok with the death and suffering of children if it avoids more death and suffering later.