WASHINGTON, Nov 2 (Reuters) - The long, bumpy road to America's ``fiscal cliff'' has been traced over many years by Congress and successive U.S. presidents.
Some of the steps along the way had good intentions; some had no intention at all, other than to avoid hard decisions.
Now, crucial deadlines loom at year-end on major budget and tax issues, a convergence of problems Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke dubbed a ``fiscal cliff.'' Will lawmakers rise to the challenge? Or will they put things off again?.
Here is a timeline of how the nation got where it is today.
* 1998-2001. Long economic expansion of 1990s peaks. U.S. government budget in surplus under President Bill Clinton.
* 2001. Stock market tech bubble bursts. President George W. Bush, Congress enact deep, ``temporary'' tax cuts. Some Republicans predict cuts will spur economy, pay for themselves. Sept. 11 attacks occur. United States and its allies invade Afghanistan.
* 2002. After four years of surpluses, U.S. budget slips into deficit of $158 billion. Bear market in stocks.
* 2003. United States and allies invade Iraq. Bush and Congress cut taxes further. Deficit grows to $378 billion.
* 2004-2006. Stock market recovers. Deficit shrinks.
* 2007-2008. Housing market bubble bursts. World financial crisis. Stock market crashes. Worst U.S. recession since Great Depression. Unemployment, home foreclosures soar. Bush, Congress bail out big banks. Deficit jumps to $459 billion in 2008.
* 2009. President Barack Obama, Congress enact $787 billion stimulus, including expanded ``temporary'' tax breaks for children, education. Auto industry bailed out. Recession ends mid-year. Stock market bounces back. Deficit hits $1.4 trillion.
* 2010. Obama signs healthcare overhaul into law. Obama creates Simpson-Bowles deficit reduction panel. Its plan for drastic fiscal reform is largely ignored. Led by Tea Party conservatives, Republicans win control of House of Representatives in mid-term elections. Obama agrees to extend Bush tax cuts for two years. Def i c it shrinks to $1.3 trillion.
* 2011. Treasury Department request for increase in U.S. debt ceiling becomes focus of fight in Congress. Republicans, Democrats settle dispute by forming ``super committee'' to examine fiscal reform. Debt ceiling raised. U.S. credit rating downgraded. Super committee collapses in discord. Deep, mandatory budget cuts triggered for 2013. Stock market makes choppy advance. Deficit estimated at $1.6 trillion.
* Spring 2012. Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke warns lawmakers of ``massive fiscal cliff'' at year-end. Main elements of approaching crisis include tax increases due to expiration of Bush tax cuts and other tax measures that Congress has allowed to slip, along with budget cuts due to super committee flop.
* Summer 2012. Presidential, congressional election campaigns in high gear. Stock market advances.
* Autumn 2012. Congressional Budget Office warns that the fiscal cliff, left unaddressed, could trigger recession. Mitt Romney named Republican presidential nominee. Obama reiterates support for keeping Bush tax cuts for all except high income earners. Republicans support extension of Bush tax cuts for everyone. Deficit for 2012 estimated to shrink to $1.1 trillion.
* Nov. 6, 2012. Election Day.
* Nov. 13, 2012. Congress scheduled to return for ``lame-duck'' session to deal with Obama on fiscal cliff issues.
* Dec. 31, 2012. If Congress takes no action, Bush tax cuts expire, other ``fiscal cliff'' elements kick in.
* Early 2013. If no action from Congress automatic budget cuts set to kick in. Debt ceiling expected to be hit again.