Is there more to this debt thing than money?

Is debt just about money owed to others or are there other hidden debts that are part of the problem?What about debt that we allow others to transfer to us in subtle ways and we allow them to let us pay for that debt.Convenience packaging is one such debt I believe. We pay for the production costs of the packaging as well as its transport costs and finally its disposal costs. Yes it may be recyclable but how much of it do we really need in the first place? Best to avoid the waste in the first place.
With the soaring costs of energy particularly diesel and petrol (gas) which in the UK is costing us about $8.50 a US gallon why do we continue to pay those costs while having local farmers and producers being forced out of business and laying off their workers and leaving little or no competition to the supermarkets who are now hiking up their prices.
And you need a car to get there and back.In the UK most supermarkets do not accept cheques (checks) any more, taking away the option of have 4 days free credit which could be very useful at the end of the month. Now it's cash, debit card or credit cards only and it's the cash and debit card payers who are paying up to 4% more to the supermarkets than credit card companies pay for the same purchases.In the UK we are seeing the introduction of do it yourself checkouts and staffing policies that force you to use them. Not only do you pay the same for the privilege but the supermarket can reduce its staffing levels taking more profit and making a necessary and unpleasant experience just that bit more unsatisfactory.The system seems to be conspiring against the poorest and those in debt are being squeezed to make ends meet.You've got to say to yourself that there must be a more transparent way to make a profit and pay fair wages without all this waste.
I'm not against capitalism as such but when you see lives being ruined and hopes dashed you begin to ponder.
We have followed our leaders' mantra of consume, buy, throw away, live like there is no tomorrow and finally there looks as if there might be no tomorrow. Or not a tomorrow that we look forward to.
Our politicians hunger for power but who among them will make any of our lives better. War, posturing, making a place for themselves in history. But what of you and me?
Who was the leader of Egypt when Moses led the Hebrews to the Promised land?
Who was the Caesar on Capitol Hill in Rome when Jesus Christ was crucified?
What memorable royal sat on a throne when Mohamed brought his message?
What great leader was in the world when the Buddha taught his practical advice?
It's ultimately the great teachers who give us a way of living and are not self serving or hungry for power who we remember. Perhaps there is sound advice in these teachings that would help us to remove the blight of debt from the world.