I don't operate on credit either, although I do want access to it in the event of an emergency, or when the risk of debt has a good potential benefit (taking advantage of a great bargain, or acquiring something which will allow me future prosperity. There are also instances when you need to borrow money to make money, both as a private citizen or as a businessman. You can't drive to work unless you buy a car, do a good job without the right tools, and you can't hire new employees or buy raw materials for growth unless you have capital.

Credit is a way to use tomorrow's prosperity to finance today's expansion, which makes tomorrow's prosperity possible. It is a legitimate and wholesome way to bootstrap an economy.

Now, using credit to purchase luxury items is poor judgement. It is sad that we seem to have a national economy based on our citizens all exercizing poor judgement.