I don't believe in victims. Everyone seems to be pushing their own version of victimhood these days and this article is one more version of that.
Interesting, private indebtedness. This is a recent thing, unsecured consumer debt without personal familiarity (as in the local store). Credits are a new thing. It was marketed to the American people in many ways. It made a lot of money post-WWII for American manufacturing, where people spent out in front of their own earnings.
Is it a personal responsibility ? Yes. Was it devious to knowingly set about a campaign to make it happen, knowing that “marketing works” ? Also yes.