"How did people survive before credit cards in such situations? THEY WORKED THEIR ASS OFF AS A FAMILY, OR WENT TO GET HELP FROM CHARITIES!!!! Credit Cards are a recent phenomena, that can be used to get people in trouble. Avoid them if you can't pay them off month to month. If you are are Christian, even the Bible tells us to avoid debt that we can't afford. The "easy" money mentality associated with Credit Cards is what got this nation, as a whole, into trouble."
I'm aware of history prior to credit cards and I understand your perspective. Still, I stand by my viewpoint. I can tell you that I wouldn't be able to post this reply had it not been for the ability to cautiously utilize a credit card in the way that I have attempted to describe. If you read my other posts on this discussion, you will find that the scenario I am describing is for very limited, and rare cases. Only truly responsible persons who are nonetheless in the situation I described can make it work. I'm speaking from personal experience.
I also regret that my terminology and choice of words to describe my viewpoint isn't better. I've described it as best I can without getting into too many details.