>>Basically, I can only conclude that we are encouraged to be 'good citizens" by borrowing money and paying interest on it while slowly paying back the principa

>>Basically, I can only conclude that we are encouraged to be 'good citizens" by borrowing money and paying interest on it while slowly paying back the principal. People who live on a cash-only basis, which was considered to be a respectable practice not that long ago (borrowing was shameful) have terrible credit scores. Welcome to the new consumerism.... Being Thrifty, having savings, and generally being responsible with your income is bad. The Government does not like it and punishes you with low/no interest on savings and inflation that outpaces that savings, Banks hate it because they would rather you spend spend spend so you need their loans to live above your means so they can not only get interest but maybe you will also over draft on your checking and they can kill you in fees. Retail shops hate it because they need to sell you increasing amounts of cheaply made poor quality product you must replace every 12-18 months The economy lives and dies with debt. If everyone started saving and living with in their means tomorrow the national economy would come to a screeching halt and we would have a depression that would make 1929 looks like a boom year