It&#x27;s not an either or.<p>Debt is a bad amplifier if not used correctly.  Racking up huge student loans to get a degree that is not in demand will lead to poverty.  The same with excessive credit card debt.  Leverage works both ways.<p>Certain people will always have destructive qualities.  The percentage of people digging their own graves hasn&#x27;t changed much.  It&#x27;s just that instead of a shovel, they now have a bulldozer.