We should ask roads and parking lots to at least break even. That they’re provided on government or business dime is related to the sprawl problem that’s making transit hard to set up.

Sewers arguably make drug dealer profit margins, the way certain municipalities charge for a hookup. Which has resulted in very little new construction even during the housing crisis.

Schools, yeah. It’s pretty obvious it is economically worth it, but only a long way down the road, like with basic research. And then there’s the whole “making better people” aspect of it, however much you buy that.