Three contractors are bidding to fix a broken fence in New Orleans.; one from New Orleans, another from Tennessee and the third, from Florida.

They go with a New Orleans City Official and FEMA 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 New Orleans contractor doesn't measure or figure, but leans over to the FEMA official and whispers, "$3,700"

The official, incredulous, says, "You didn't even measure like the other guys!

How did you come up with such a high figure?"

The New Orleans contractor whispers back, "$1000 for me, $1000 for your approval, $1000 for City Official's approval and we hire the guy from Tennessee to fix the fence."

"Done!" replies the FEMA official.

And that friends, is how it all works!

SAD BUT TRUE!!! Skip