The other day, I turned this column over to other voices. To those who will be most affected by cuts in the state's prison system for substance abuse and re-entry programs.

In the online comments, a reader responded thusly:

"Do the crime — Do the time!''

I understand that feeling. I really do. For people who don't make poor choices, don't abuse substances, don't commit crimes, there is an understandable sense of justice in criminal sentencing.

Once it's reduced to a simple slogan, you can forget about the issue and move on with your life as if these criminals don't affect you.

But there's a problem with that bumper-sticker outlook. Those slogans are basically the third-grade equivalent of public policy. They do not address nuance, and do not see the bigger picture. In this case, that attitude will cost all of us more in the long run.

ROMANO: Creating convicts instead of results in Florida's ongoing drug war

Let's say you agree with always locking up drug addicts for non-violent offenses. Those crimes are typically minor and carry short sentences. So the offender is often back on the street in a year or two, and hasn't had any meaningful substance abuse counseling.

What happens if they go back to drinking or drugs? Go back to breaking into houses to feed their addiction? Go back to driving while under the influence? What happens if they live near your house or drive on the same streets as your children?

Still think it doesn't affect you?

Let's say you are a firm believer in conservative principles. Tough on crime, smaller government, less taxes, right? Except, when it comes to the prison system, Florida's budget just grows and grows.

We're spending about $2.4 billion on the Department of Corrections in the new budget, up from $2.1 billion in 2013. Meanwhile, prison expenditures seem to be going down nationally.

So that's a huge chunk of your tax dollars spent on inmates who often re-offend and land right back in prison. And the programs meant to reduce recidivism? That's what the state just cut.

Still think it doesn't affect you?

And there's another cost to taxpayers beyond actual prison expenses. If those drug addicts do not get rehabilitation, their chances of holding down a job and staying out of jail are drastically reduced.

That means they are not paying taxes. That means their children and spouses are left on their own. That means they may require some form of government assistance.

Naturally, those programs are funded with tax dollars. Your tax dollars.

Still think it doesn't affect you?

At some point, we must decide which conservative ideal we like better: Is it tough love for drug addicts, or is it reducing our taxes?

Because those two goals are often at odds.

We're not talking about murderers, rapists and bank robbers. The substance abuse programs that were just whacked were limited to non-violent offenders. Essentially, the programs are for people with drug problems who steal or sell drugs to support their own addictions.

If we treat them like criminals, they're bound to become criminals. Conversely, if we help them stay away from drugs, they're more likely to become productive citizens.

So, yeah, slam the cell doors and bury the key.

Just remember, you're paying for that choice.