How come our nation is allowed to be trillions of dollars in debt but individual people aren't allowed debt?

why is the US allowed to be in trillions of dollars of debt, and yet being in 50 dollars of debt gets you in trouble. how is that ok? i dont understand. and if we are so far in debt, why dont all the people high up in the government give up their helicopters and caviar to help out the economy? every one else has to cut back.