Predictable and boring – that describes many of the media opinion pieces on the subject of gay marriage, especially in light of recent Supreme Court hearings on the subject. Political correctness has pulled much of the dialog in favor of same-sex unions, even among conservatives.

Here are links to five thoughtful pieces in recent days that break the mold, building arguments either against same-sex marriage or in favor of a so-called "third way":

The authors of “Freedom in the 50 States,” a ranking published by the Mercatus Center at George Mason University, are up front about their opinions.

except banshee-like cries of how awful it is.

Ryan’s plan would completely repeal Obamacare. He knows that isn’t going to happen. It’s a nod to his constituency and an effort to show people how much health care reform is going to cost the American people in the long run.

And yes, other parts of it are unrealistic, or perhaps undesirable, too.

The Democrats' plan claims to save $1.85 trillion over 10 years by cutting spending and raising taxes, and by repealing much of what was cut by sequestration. It's not clear the party wants to approach entitlement or tax reform at all, or if it wants to go on pretending it can balance the budget without those things.

It's significant that the Democratic plan was drafted by Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash. The White House indicated the president might not agree with all aspects of it.

So where is his plan? What kind of president confronts a crisis, such as the automatic, nonsensical spending cuts currently underway, and does not present a workable solution of his own?

“This is an invitation. Show us how to balance the budget,” Ryan said. “If you don’t like the way we’re proposing to balance our budget, how do you propose to balance the budget?”

If the nation is going to chart a logical course toward fiscal responsibility, it must start with each side staking a realistic claim, even if it’s slathered in unwinnable ideology, as both these plans are. Then the two sides have to come together, find common ground and make acceptable compromises.

You can’t accomplish the goal without being provocative. Ryan says his plan would cut $4.6 trillion by 2023, decreasing the net spending from $46 trillion to only $41 trillion over 10 years. He would reform the tax code into two brackets, one at 10 percent and the other at 25 percent, cut Medicare and reduce federal pensions.

Critics seemed to be treating Ryan's plan as a final, best offer. Maybe now, with two plans on the table, the real work can begin. Frankly, it's about time.

If you were buying a car and the salesman laughed and scoffed at every offer you made without ever offering a counter, you probably wouldn’t reach a deal.

No wonder people say they wouldn’t buy a used car from Washington politicians.