Why not go over it?  It would force mandatory cuts, no one would be responsible for and then we can get our house in order.  Is there a possibility of a recession... maybe.  But as most economists point out, a recession actually begins about six months before we recognize we are in one, and is usually over six months before we know it.  If the fiscal cliff will cause a recession, it won't be before Aug 2013, plenty of time to shore things up! Chop Chop!