The Fiscal Cliff is a big deal because Bush era tax cuts and mandatory discretionary programs are set to expire at this end of the year and if they are not extended, Americans will be hit with hefty tax increases and reduction in government spending that could shave as much as 4% off GDP. This will plunge the U.S. economy back into recession and cause growth to contract as much as 3% in the first half of next year. The consequences of allowing the U.S. economy to fall off the cliff are extremely severe and the stakes are abundantly cleared to all parties involved.