Final answer:
President Roosevelt meant that proactive government spending during a crisis could prevent greater economic disaster and alleviate human suffering, which ultimately would result in cost savings for the nation.
Step-by-step explanation:
When President Franklin D. Roosevelt said "it is worth our while as a nation to spend money in order to save money," he was expressing the principle behind his approach to the economic crisis during the Great Depression. Roosevelt implemented New Deal programs, such as the Works Progress Administration (WPA), which involved spending on public works and other federal projects to create jobs and stimulate economic activity. His comment reflects the understanding that immediate government spending could help to avert deeper financial loss and social turmoil in the long term, thereby "saving money" by reducing the potential for more severe economic and human costs.
Roosevelt's belief in positive government action was evident in his policies which aimed to balance economic growth with fiscal responsibility. He initially held traditional fiscal beliefs, including the importance of a balanced budget, but the depth of the Depression led him to prioritize relief and recovery over immediate budgetary concerns. In hindsight, much of the slow recovery was underpinned by inflation and government spending. Eventually, World War II and Roosevelt's increased deficit spending helped to lower unemployment and increase demand, demonstrating the effect of government intervention during economic downturns.