by Ruthann Miller

Created on: April 30, 2009   Last Updated: May 29, 2011

As a nation, we are in the worst economic downward-spiraling vortex since the Great Depression. Most of us can't even remember a time in our country when the forecasts were so dire as they are today. But just as any great idea is born of hard times, we need to each take a long hard look at our individual lives, knowing individual efforts - no matter how small - can help to change our economy for the better and say "let it begin with me". Our government is on the brink of vast, sweeping economic reforms, primarily aimed at the banking and credit card industries. This is long overdue. There are so many people who have fallen victim - nay, allowed themselves to BE victimized - by the banks and credit card companies. Let me share my own journey with debt, or as I like to call it, "Debt Vader", because being in debt is definitely a trip to "the dark side".

I have been to Debtor's Hell and back, and my shoes still carry the slippery black gum that makes it so easy for me to slide back down there again. I'm here to give you a glimpse of what you're in for if you don't get control and turn back NOW.

In America, if you have debt, you are meant to feel as if you are a deadbeat. The media, the banking institutions, credit card companies (Darth Vader, incarnate!), our government-ALL of them will treat you as if you are the lowest life-form on the planet. This is SO not true. Why? Because we are the MAJORITY. They will try to make you think that we (debtors) are a minority, but it's just NOT the truth. Debt is not a sin. It's not listed in the Ten Commandments. You're not a debt-pusher, but you might be a debt addict. (We'll get to that part later.) FACT: There is approximately $551.9 billion in outstanding consumer revolving debt (that's you and me) and $731.4 billion in non-revolving debt (us again!) in our country. Most people get into debt because of some circumstance they had no control over: sudden loss of a job, death or disappearance of their sole support, major illness and medical bills, even just plain stupidity (a bad choice), etcetera, etc. The list is endless.

In that position that you're suddenly thrust into, you are left to feel powerless. Suddenly, your self-esteem is suffering and you're very vulnerable. Can you see the vultures circling? At the same time, your PRIDE (being already wounded from having to admit you're "out of work", etc.) is what prevents you from asking for help in the right places. The vultures (financial retailers) know this about you and

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