Three Contractors are bidding to fix a broken fence at the White House. One is from Chicago,another is 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 foe me."

The Chicago contractor doesn't measure or figure,but leans over to the White House offical and whispers,"$2,700."

The offical,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 offical.

And that, my friends, is how the new stimulus plan will work.