(fear) the Fiscal Cliff... (Photo credit: MyEyeSees)

There is heavy debate about the fiscal cliff and how it will affect the nation's long term debt; and how fiscal policy will effect growth over the next months and years. The outcome of the fiscal cliff negotiations are directly related to the functionality of the current political leadership and the status of the economy in 2012. These two areas are very much connected since the fiscal policy in both the US and Europe has already caused a drag on economic growth. The slowdown is expected to be ongoing as policymakers work on addressing the long term debt burdens.