Three contractors are bidding to fix the White House fence. One from
Texas, another from Michigan and the third from Ohio. They go with a
White House official to examine the fence.
The Texas 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 Michigan 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 Ohio 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?"
"Easy," he explains, "$1,000 for you, $1,000 for me and we hire the guy
from Michigan."
Texas, another from Michigan and the third from Ohio. They go with a
White House official to examine the fence.
The Texas 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 Michigan 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 Ohio 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?"
"Easy," he explains, "$1,000 for you, $1,000 for me and we hire the guy
from Michigan."
Comment