A metaphor for change...

Three contractors are bidding to fix a broken fence at the White House.

One is from Chicago, another from Tennessee , and the third is from Minnesota.

All three go with a White House official to examine the fence.

The Minnesota 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 Chicago 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 Chicago 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 the new stimulus plan will work.

Happy rainbows & unicorns!