I stopped reading the replies after page one, but America became a great country because there was plenty of opportunities available for anyone that wanted to become successful.
I think the times have changed to where people want to live like they have acheived that level of success, without having earned it, hence the credit card debt.
If the OP wants to work hard to acheive his goals, great, it will most likely be of great benefit to him and society.
Without something to aspire to, what is the point of living?