Three contractors are bidding to fix a broken fence at the White
House. One from New Jersey , another from Tennessee and the third from
Florida. They go with a White House official to examine the fence.
The Florida 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 contrac tor 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 New Jersey contractor doesn't measure or figure, but leans
over to the White House official 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 New Jersey 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 friends, is how it all works!!!