Three contractors are bidding to
> fix a broken fence at the White House.
>
> One is from Chicago, another is from
> Tennessee, and the third is from Minnesota.
>
> All three go with a White House official to
> examine the fence.
>
> The Minnesota contractor takes out a tape measure and
> does some measuring, then works some figures with a pencil.
> "Well," he says, "I figure the job will run
> about $900: $400 for materials,
> $400 for my crew and $100 profit for me."
>
> The Tennessee contractor also does some measuring
> and figuring, then says, "I can do this job for $700:
> $300
> for materials, $300 for my crew and $100 profit for
> me."
>
> The Chicago contractor doesn't measure or figure,
> but leans over to the White House offici al and whispers,
> "$2,700." The official, incredulous, says,
> "You didn't
> even measure like the other guys! How did you come up
> with such a high figure?"
>
> The Chicago contractor whispers back, "$1000
> for me, $1000 for you, and we hire the guy from
> Tennessee to fix the fence."
>
> "Done!" replies the government
> official.
>
> And that, my friends, is how the new stimulus plan
> will work.