信用卡(credit card)是銀行所創(chuàng)造出來的最便捷同時也是最危險 的信用工具。通過信用卡，人們可以先用銀行付賬的方式購買那些 負(fù)擔(dān)不起的物品，同時，銀行也將對此征收比_般貸款要高的利率 (interest rate)。遺憾的是，信用卡現(xiàn)巳成為資本主義體制(capitalist system)的重要組成部分，而該體制就得依賴消費(consumption)的持 續(xù)增長。 

　　Credit cards are one of the most convenient devices ever cre ated by the banking system but, at the same time, one of the most danger¬ous. They allow people to buy things they，otherwise, couldn’t afford， with money created by the banks and, charged out at much higher interest rates than normal loans. Unfortunately, credit cards have become an es¬sential part of the capitalist system which only survives on the continued growth in consumption.