Karen Boroff raises the question in New Jersey Voices:

Which one of us can be free when we owe others sums beyond our ability to repay? How as a nation can we be free with billions and trillions of debt? Years ago, singer Tennessee Ernie Ford had a hit with “Sixteen Tons,” telling the tale of a miner who “owes his soul to the company store.” Each day, the poor soul got deeper in debt. That is the track on which we are traveling.

Key quote:

People who see no end to debt lose their self-reliance, almost addicted to the next round of handouts. Addiction does not free ourselves nor does it make us brave.