As the deadline looms for a series of tax increases and spending cuts, we examine some of the history of the so-called "fiscal cliff" as well as the source of conflict in negotiations and the effects the changes will have on the overall federal budget and you.

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Why are we here?

Putting the fiscal changes in perspective

The hard task of making cuts

Effects: An overview of changes that will happen if Congress misses the Jan. 1 deadline

Effects: How missing the deadline will change jobless benefits

What Americans think