How business is done in Washington and Massachusetts
Three contractors are bidding to fix the White House fence. One from Massachusetts , another from Tennessee and the third, 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 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 Massachusetts 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, the Massachusetts guy explains, $1,000 for you, $1,000 for me and we hire the guy from Tennessee.