Nice, short video primer on what the Debt Ceiling is. An informed citizenry is, well, rare...

If you are not sure what the Debt Ceiling is all about, here is a good place to start.  As always, the devil is in the details and the issue gets way more complicated.  However, this will give you a jumping off point (by that I don't mean the nearest bridge) to learn more. :) 

David Wessel, Wall Street Journal