It seems like every few months in Washington, a debate rages over the federal budget deficit or debt ceiling -- until some last-minute agreement emerges and the crisis appears to pass. But have these stopgap measures done anything to address the underlying issue of America's growing debt?

This is not just a government issue; the average American has also taken on an unmanageable level of debt. This addiction to debt contributed to the recession and financial crisis a few years ago, and the fundamental problem has yet to be addressed by the government or most individuals.

This MoneyRates.com infographic examines how this debt burden weighs on America like a monkey on its back.

See how America's debt has come to feel like a monkey on its back.

Courtesy of: MoneyRates.com

The original article can be found at Money-Rates.com: "Infographic: Attack of the Debt Monkey"