Surprising that the article equates less credit card debt to less usage of credit cards. Its possible that people became more responsible and started paying of

Surprising that the article equates less credit card debt to less usage of credit cards. Its possible that people became more responsible and started paying off their balances while also using their credit cards? The article would make any sense if it also mentions the total credit limit and the ratio of revolving debt to credit limits. I for one, am glad that I'm comfortable with using credit cards, applying for new ones, and pay off statement balance all the way. That way, I'm getting good money back, while the spooked credit card avoiders are paying more for the same stuff :)