The gross U.S. government debt now stands at $17 trillion, more than double what it was a decade ago. It’s still expanding, as the Treasury pays out more than it takes in, and the shortfall is expected to grow over the next decade. So it’s deeply gratifying to learn that Americans are “highly concerned” about the problem.

That finding comes from the latest monthly Fiscal Confidence Index, compiled by the Peter G. Peterson Foundation. “Fully eight in 10 voters (81 percent) say that the president and Congress should spend more time addressing the issue, including six in ten (62 percent) who believe they should be spending a lot more time on it.”