Finally, Democrats and Republicans agree on something.

Both political parties acknowledge that doubling student loan interest rates from 3.4 percent to 6.8 percent, beginning on July 1, is a terrible idea and should be scrapped immediately. Both sides have proposed a bill that would extend the current 3.4 percent rate for one year, but there is a catch. When it comes to Washington politics there is always a catch.

The Republicans want to fund the bill by taking the money out of the savings in President Obama’s health care plan.

The Democrats would prefer raising the payroll taxes on big business or closing tax loopholes on corporations to bring in revenue.

Here is what we propose: Compromise.

There was a long-running television game show called “Password”” that has been seen in various incarnations over the years. Allen Ludden was the original host of the old black-and-white show. The show had two celebrities playing alongside regular people. One player was given the password or clue and their partner had to guess the word.

Here’s an example:

Celebrity Guest: “Congress.”

Regular player: “Dysfunctional?”

Bells ring, everyone applauds and prizes are awarded.

Considering the animosity between the two political parties, we wonder if a game of “Password” might bring House Speaker John Boehner and Nancy Pelosi closer to taking part in the lost art of horse-trading.

Consider this scenario:

Allen Ludden: “Our celebrity players both work in our nation’s capital and are well-known members of Congress. Please give a warm round of applause to Speaker of the House John Boehner and Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi. Contestants, you know how the game is played so let’s play Password.”

Announcer (whispering): “The password is ‘compromise.’”

Allen Ludden: “Good luck to both sides.”

Guest player: “Negotiate.”

John Boehner: “Appeasement?”

(Buzzer sounds and audience groans over the wrong answer).

Guest player: “Give and take.”

Nancy Pelosi: “Weakness?”

(Buzzer sounds again and audience groans louder).

Guest player: “Meet in the middle.”

John Boehner: “Failure?”

(Buzzer sounds again)

Guest player: “Happy medium.”

Nancy Pelosi: “Surrender?”

(Buzzer sounds again and crowd begins to boo)

Allen Ludden: “I’m sorry contestants, but our time is up. The correct password was ‘compromise.’”

(Boehner and Pelosi look puzzled as if they had never heard of the word).

It’s a simple solution.

Take some of the money from the health care bill, take some more by closing a tax loophole on rich corporations and a generation of college students might thank you later.

— The Post-Star of Glens Falls (N.Y.)

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