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

The Georgia 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 Kentucky 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 Kentucky 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 it all works ! ! !