This is because adding debt increases the default risk - and thus the interest rate that the company must pay in order to borrow money.

Operating leases allow airlines to add planes when and where they need them, without adding debt.

They allow companies with weaker balance sheets to raise cash without adding debt.

All of these moves have involved only about $100 million in cash, while adding little debt to the company.

That would add new debt to next year's anticipated deficit of $4 billion.

The lawmakers also added new long-term debt to the budget.

"When you add debt on more debt, that causes interest rates to go up," he said.

Would that add too much debt to deficit-ridden New York?

Can you imagine what would happen to the spending on Burger King if they added debt?

It is therefore the working and middle classes who are hardest hit, even without adding excess debt to the mix.