I am independent in part, because I recognize the huge difference between what people want and the ability to pay for what they want.   Wisdom comes from finding a balance.

I blame it on extreme partisanship.    You have the Republicans wanting to balance a budget that ignores the needs of a big hunk of American citizens.  On the other side,  you have Dem, that want to provide a 'dream' future where all needs will be met 'now' and paid for later.   *At least the ACA was constructed on the principle of having to pay for the program, but clearly not all prediction were accurate.

As a society our lifeblood has become how we manage out debt.    It's GREAT for the financial institution which profit from debt, and those institutions would collapse with out high levels of debt at all income, private and corporate.

Short term debt in manageable and smart if done correctly.   Institutional debt is another beast altogether.