The image of hands wringing themselves had already become the emblem of the Trump era long before this week. But Tuesday's fracas in the Oval Office seems to have set off an especially intense bout of this activity, especially among the press. We discourage this, as in excess it may lead to carpal tunnel or the dreaded tennis elbow.

Tuesday's confrontation began when President Trump and Vice President Mike Pence sat down for a photo op with the two top Democratic congressional leaders, Sen. Chuck Schumer of New York and Rep. Nancy Pelosi of California. Things started to get interesting when Pelosi referred to a possible government shutdown as the "Trump shutdown."

"Did you say 'Trump'?" Trump asked. The two then began to argue about who was obstructing a bill to fund the government — Trump, who is insisting on funding for his border wall, or the Democrats, who can block any spending bill in the Senate by sticking together in a filibuster and preventing it from getting 60 votes in the Senate.

Things got even rowdier after that. Schumer eventually put his finger on the problem by noting that Trump and the Democrats have a disagreement on the border wall. "You just say, my way or we'll shut down the government," Schumer said. "We have a proposal that Democrats and Republicans will support to do a C.R. that will not shut down the government. We urge you to take it."

"And if it's not good border security, I won't take it," Trump shot back. The two men then began debating the merits of the border wall, right there in front of the cameras.

Unfortunately, Pelosi didn't seem to be enjoying the show she had done as much as anyone else to start. "I don't think we should have a debate in front of the press," the past and soon-to-be House speaker said. Later she added: "This is a most unfortunate thing ... we came in here in good faith, and we're entering into this kind of a discussion in the public view."

But what's unfortunate about this scene? What's wrong with a little bit of civil but spirited public debate? No one threw any punches. There was no blood spilt.

Would it be better if all substantive conversations were held in smoky back rooms, the way they once were?

Not enough Americans have time to watch C-SPAN during the day. Perhaps it would be instructive to have Trump, Schumer, and Pelosi duke it out over the budget process and the merits of the border wall.

There are other countries where leaders don't stoop to actually arguing with one another in front of cameras. This would never happen in China, for example, where those disagreeing with President Xi Jinping would simply be arrested on bogus corruption charges. But this is what democracy looks like.

Trump made a promise about building a wall, and the voters may punish him if he doesn't keep it. Democrats promised to resist Trump, and they owe it to their constituents to keep their word. There are going to be fights, and confrontations among headstrong people, and eventually compromises. If you don't like it — if you can't handle the confrontation — then maybe democracy just isn't your thing.