Three contractors are bidding to fix a broken fence at the White Housein D.C.; One from Ohio another from Tennessee and the third, from Kentucky. They all go with a White House official to examine the fence.

The Tennessee contractor takes out a tape measure and does somemeasuring, 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 Kentucky contractor also does some measuring and figuring, thensays, 'I can do this job for ! ! $700: $300 for materials, $300 for my crew and $100 profit for me.

The Ohio contractor doesn't measure or figure, but leans over to the White House official and whispers, '$2,700.' The official, incredulous, whispers back, 'You didn't even measure like the other guys! How did you come up with such a high figure?' The Ohio contractor whispers back, '$1000 for me, $1000 for you, and we hire that guy from Kentucky to fixthe fence.' 'Done!' replies the government official.

And that my friends, is how it all works ! ! !