[obviouslygreen]

...people really only use credit cards for online purchases or when they're already living beyond their means. (Which means the use of a credit card in day-to-day spending is another warning sign!)

Ridiculous, unsubstantiated, and false. The US is not perfect, but neither are your ideas about credit cards and the people who use them. I, much of my family, and many of my friends use credit cards for all of our daily expenses and pay them off immediately, or at least before the bills are due. It's convenient and lets you keep a small cash stash on you that rarely gets used just in case you need it.

[Anderkent]

Then why not just use a debit card, and if you turn out to need that cash stash, use your credit card then? Or take any kind of loan, most of which will have better terms than your credit card anyway...

[aianus]

Please point me to "any kind of loan" that has better terms than my credit card. My credit card company literally pays me money to lend me money for a month at a time. I'd have to be an idiot not to take them up on that offer.

[obviouslygreen]

That's a choice you can make, but it's not relevant to the point I'm refuting. :)