Legislators on both sides of the aisle, along with Gov. Tim Pawlenty, have invoked those and other images this session as they talk about how to address the state's $4.57 billion projected budget deficit.

If they are going to invoke some imagery, how about a sunset?

Specifically, how about broadening the state sales tax to cover clothing but only for a limited amount of time? Drop — or sunset — the increase after two years.

We suggest this idea for several reasons, the biggest of which is to inspire some serious discussions at the Capitol.

In case legislators have not noticed, they have only about 60 days to solve the $4.57 billion gap and things aren't exactly moving at warp speed. Beyond that, though, this idea offers potential middle ground in a political battle that has sadly predictable sides.

On the right: A nationally recognized Pawlenty who, with the support of many like-minded Republicans, talks mightily about how Minnesotans sitting around their kitchen tables trying to make their books balance just can't handle another tax increase amid the economy. But be honest. When is it ever a good time to raise taxes?

On the left: The spending-prone DFL leadership. While they continue to provide no specifics about their budget solutions, DFL leaders have made it clear that they are unwilling to maintain and cut state services to Pawlenty's levels. (Think car crash.) The result: Tax increases are coming. Sometime in the next few weeks everyone will learn who is targeted and for how much.

So with that imagery — and especially a stubborn governor — realistic solutions (think the whole tool box) must target middle-ground Republicans in the House.

Yes, just like last session's transportation bill, this session's best budget solution could rest with those House GOPers willing to put common sense and serving constituents ahead of politics.

Enter the idea of expanding the state sales tax to clothes, but only for a limited time.

This idea could raise about $400 million a year. And as we've noted recently, even the governor's pro-business tax commission suggested an expanded sales tax as an option in reforming statewide tax structure.

The down side, of course, is the less money you earn, the harder it becomes on your budget. And, yes, it could hurt border areas and the Mall of America more than Central Minnesota.

Still, at the least, this idea deserves the same level of debate as selling the state's tobacco endowment, to say nothing of the governor's original idea of cost-shifting $2.5 billion of the gap to the 2012-13 budget plan.

Minnesotans gathered around their kitchen tables know neither of those options are something they would — or even legally could — do to their own budgets. And while expanding the sales tax to clothing might not be easy, it is all-encompassing and, most importantly, only temporary.