In an economy where manual, unskilled labor is no longer enough to prosper, free college and universal healthcare is absolutely a wise investment in this country's future.
Two things people are going to do; make babies and survive. And if they can't make enough to feed their babies they're going to revolt to survive. That sounds extreme, I know. But, if things keep going the way they're going, revolt could happen. Too many have-nots without the skills to better their situations.
As automation becomes more wide spread, the next battle will be for a Universal Base Income because there just won't be enough gainful employment to go around.
We're on the cusp of huge changes in our society. Hopefully, we make the right choices. Our futures depend on it.