2.14.2011

Haggling about the price

Out of Sync | Talking Points Memo

Here's the key thing to keep in mind in this current round of budget politicking. President Obama has proposed some pretty substantial cuts to government spending. Sen. Sessions and other Republicans are saying it's not nearly enough.

There was a story going around, I don't know if it was true or not, about George Bernard Shaw, the playwright, who, attempting to make conversation with a particularly stuffy female dinner companion, asked the woman in question if she would have sex with him for five million dollars. Only he said pounds, of course, being English, and I really don't know how many pounds because the exchange rate, inflation, blah blah. But a lot.

The dame said yes.

Well then, Shaw said, how about for five bucks?

What do you think I am, the woman said, a prostitute?

Madame, said Shaw, we've already established that. Now we're just haggling about the price.

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