The problem begins in education. If you are not educated from early on to not spend more than you have coming in, then you can easily fall prey to living outside your means. If people just paid attention in math class:
1+1 = 2 (income)
2-1 = 1 (income minus "some expense" you are still positive)
2-2 = 0 (You are even, one slip here or there, and you are done).
2 - (2+ .0000001 anything) = you are fucked.
If you can't keep up with your expense, either gain more income, or reduce expense. Now once they start teaching this at a grade school level, you'll see the problem as you continue to mature, and won't waste time spending money on shit you don't need, and eventually will be able to compound your monies.
As a community, if you take this level of accounting to whom you elect, at your city, state, and national level, then you generally will be better off.
The problem is, most people are so used to being at that neutral or a little underwater, they feel uncomfortable being above water. As soon as they get an extra dollar, they are off spending 2 dollars. Learn fucking math, teach your children math, and if you can't afford something, don't do it. Don't put it on debt for your future self.
If you can't afford a vacation, don't go on vacation. If you can't afford to get married, then don't. If you can't afford to have children, don't. Make more money, then live in your means. If as a society, we can get back to this focus of mind set, EVERYONE would be better off. Don't succumb to peer pressure, cause everyone else is buying a house, or getting married, or having children. They for the most part are following the same formula and mentality that was passed down from their parents.
If you stepped back, and ran a business like most Americans run their financial lives, you'll be in debt and underwater in no time.
The system is not rigged, it's just that you motherfuckers didn't read the instruction manual.
Good luck bros.