There seems to be an obvious approach to the impending fiscal cliff: Fall off it, and then get rescued - Bond style. Why? Well, the short-sighted Republicans who have signed onto the "no new taxes" mandate will never back down - that would involve admitting they were wrong. So, there will be no Grand Bargain. The Fiscal Cliff, however, has new taxes built in, so they would not have to vote for it....they could just let it happen. If both parties got together today and started to negotiate a "plan to put in place as soon as the fiscal cliff kicks in", they can have their cake and eat it too. The Republicans can actually negotiate a post-cliff tax cut , the Democrats can allow some cuts to Government spending while rescuing a few key areas....everyone is a winner. Chances of this happening: about 0%