The fiscal cliff refers to a combination of tax increases and spending cuts that were set to take effect in the United States on January 1, 2013. These measures were designed to reduce the federal budget deficit, but they were also expected to have a significant negative impact on the economy.

Here are some of the basics of why going over the fiscal cliff would take America down a dangerous path:

* Tax increases: The fiscal cliff would have resulted in a significant increase in taxes for most Americans. This would have reduced their disposable income, which would have led to a decrease in consumer spending. This, in turn, would have caused businesses to cut back on production and lay off workers.

* Spending cuts: The fiscal cliff would have also resulted in significant cuts to government spending. This would have reduced demand for goods and services, which would have also caused businesses to cut back on production and lay off workers.

* Uncertainty: The fiscal cliff created a great deal of uncertainty about the future of the economy. This made businesses hesitant to invest and hire new workers. As a result, the fiscal cliff would have likely led to a recession.

In short, going over the fiscal cliff would have been a major blow to the economy. It would have led to higher taxes, reduced spending, and increased uncertainty. This would have likely caused a recession and significantly damaged the American economy.

Fortunately, Congress was able to reach an agreement to avoid the fiscal cliff. However, the debate over the fiscal cliff highlighted the need for Congress to find a more sustainable way to reduce the budget deficit.