In an earlier era, they became indebted to the pawnbroker; now they are indebted to banks or credit-card companies. And, because their poverty was only relative and house prices were racing ahead, creditors were happy to let them sink deeper and deeper into debt.
那么，相对贫困者如何在标准不断提高的社会“赶上邻居”？他们做了穷人总是会做的事：借钱。从前，他们欠当铺老板的钱；如今，他们欠银行和信用卡公司的钱。而由于他们的贫困只是相对的，而房价一直在上涨，因此债权人也愿意让他们在债务泥淖中越陷越深。