Three contractors are bidding to fix a broken fence at the Downing Street. One is from London, another is from Birmingham and the third is from Manchester. All three go with a Downing Street official to examine the fence. The London 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 Birmingham 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 Manchester contractor doesn't measure or figure, but leans over to the Downing Street 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 Manchester contractor whispers back, "£1000 for me, £1000 for you, and we hire the guy from Birmingham to fix the fence." "Done!" replies the government official. And that, my friends, is how our government works. It may be funny but, sadly, it's also very accurate.