The IMF envisages that general government debt will reach 88% of the single-currency zone's GDP this year.

ECONOMIST: Eurobonds could restore confidence, but at a cost

We also believe that the fiscal consolidation plan that Congress and the Administration agreed to this week falls short of the amount that we believe is necessary to stabilize the general government debt burden by the middle of the decade.

FORBES: S&P Downgrades U.S. Debt

It is wrong to say that the payroll tax feeds into general revenues and the Trust Fund is not considered government debt (except when the total debt limit has to be raised).

ECONOMIST: Plugging the spending gap