Understanding an Obama Economy

People have been dumbfounded recently about President Obama's lack of understanding when it comes to the economy, Is it that he doesn't understand? Perhaps he just understands a different version. This story will help to explain.

=====================================================================

Mrs. Obama noticed that the White House fence was in need of repair and over breakfast she told her husband it needed to be fixed. Believing this was an opportunity to put people back to work, he instructed a White House official to get 3 bids from contractors from across the country. The Official then contacted contractors from Tennessee, Chicago, and Minnesota. They all showed up 3 days later to bid the job.

The Minnesota Contractor takes out a tape measure and does some measuring, then works some figures with his laptop. "Well, he says, I figure the job will run $900. That would be $400 for materials, $400 for my crew and $100 profit for me.

The Tennessee contractor also does some measuring and figuring. He sharpens his pencil and makes a few phone calls. Then he 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 even measure or figure, but leans over to the White House official and whispers, $2,700.

Incredulous, the White House official 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, "$1,000 for me, $1,000 for you, and we hire the guy from Tennessee to fix the fence."

"Done" replies the government official.

Now you know why the Stimulus Plan will cost so much and what Obama means by trickle-up economics.

(borrowed and adapted from Melisa Clouthier's blog)