DEMS: "We need a debt-ceiling increase, formality, right?"
REPUBS: "No way, all we care about is deficit, Deficit, DEFICIT?, DEFICIT!"
DEMS: "You serious about deficits? So let's talk deficits. Let's be ambitious. To be serious about the deficit we need to cut spending - eventualy...
REPUBS: "Hooray!"
DEMS: "...AND raise taxes - eventually."
REPUBS: [run screaming]
DEMS: "So, I guess you're not serious about the deficit?"
REPUBS: [sniff]
DEMS: "So let's be less ambitious. About that debt-ceiling formality, on my desk by Monday, right?"
REPUBS: "'mkay"