Okay while I get what you’re saying, and you are right that it is unfairly different for govt. officials than for citizens looking for a job, I really have to correct that it’s not "any amount of debt" that will keep you from getting a clearance, or else they’d never get fresh college graduates. They specifically care about whether you seem to be in a financially precarious situation or are financially irresponsible. Student loans, mortgage, or credit card balances that haven’t gotten out of control will likely get a pass whereas loan shark loans, balances sent to collections, or gambling debt will very much flag red. Again I do agree that it’s ridiculous that politicians aren’t held to the same standard.