[llimllib]

> Unfortunately, most of these people are also deep in debt and have already made such cuts.

You might be underestimating the middle-class-ness of the problem. My first job out of college was pre-screening people's credit reports (in 2004, so in quite good economic times), and it was shocking how many middle-class and lower-rich-class people were living way beyond their means, while applying for expensive short-term debt to cover it up.

The worst I saw was the owner of a local chain of stores whose wife or girlfriend was clearly cleaning him out, and he was applying for short-term unsecured debt.