Several news outlets report that Obama has come up with a new demand before he will accept any agreements with Repubs... he wants complete authority to raise the debt ceiling without any involvement from Congress.  So, best as I can tell, here is where we are:

1.  Obama demands rich pay higher tax rate or we go off the cliff.
2.  Obama demands no more debt ceilings or we go off the cliff.
3.  Repubs want equal spending cuts or we go off the cliff.

Hmmm, if those are the choices maybe we really should go off the cliff and hope the cliff includes all of Washington DC and those who reside there get buried by the falling rock.