信用卡(credit card)是银行所创造出来的最便捷同时也是最危险 的信用工具。通过信用卡，人们可以先用银行付账的方式购买那些 负担不起的物品，同时，银行也将对此征收比_般贷款要高的利率 (interest rate)。遗憾的是，信用卡现巳成为资本主义体制(capitalist system)的重要组成部分，而该体制就得依赖消费(consumption)的持 续增长。?

　　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.

(责任编辑：田学江)