[legion]

In a total meltdown where a government ceases to exist, it won't matter one bit if you are debt free or loaded with debt. All that will matter is if you have enough ammo do defend yourself or enough things of value to trade for your survival.

What is far more likely is some form of partial meltdown. In that case, it is generally a good idea to be beholden to no one. That said, our current government tends to reward failure and punish success, so maybe the "experts" have that one wrong too...