Lot’s of wheelin’ and dealin’ going on this month between President Obama and John Boehner. Let’s hope the president doesn’t give away the store like he did recently as recounted below.

President Obama was touring Detroit the other day, talking to people to see how they were making out in the current hard times. He was visiting a car dealership just outside of town when the owner got an emergency call from his wife and had to run home. Before he left, the owner asked the president to watch the store for him just in case a customer arrived before the assistant manager could get in. The president agreed. Who was going to buy a car right now anyway? And besides, how hard could it be?

 But a customer did arrive. A Mr. Beaner, from nearby Ohio.

 B: Hi, I’m Jon Beaner. I hear you have some new car for sale.

 O: That’s right. Your name’s “Beaner.” Are you Mexican? You’re kind of dark.

 B: Mexican? I got no use for Mexicans. Besides, I’m not dark, I’m orange. Different thing entirely. How about this car? I hear it’s a Barackmobile, or some dumb name like that.

 O: Well, that’s right. I know the name maybe takes a little getting used to, but the car itself is the latest thing. It’s an energy efficient hybrid that’ll help the environment, use less gas, and most importantly, makes you feel good about yourself!

 B: That sounds like a lot of crap to me. How much is it?

 O: It’s $28,995 plus tax.

 B: Plus tax? I hate tax. I’m not paying any tax.

 O: Well, you have to pay tax.

 B: I’m not! Take the tax out of your cut. Mark the price down the amount of the tax!

O: Well, I guess that’s fair. All right (pulls out calculator), I’ll take it down to $27,000.

 B: What about state and local taxes and fees? I want them off, too.

 O: (hurt) I already counted that in! You told me how you feel about taxes.

 B: Hummph. And the thing looks like a cereal box on roller skates. How can I take the missus to the country club in something that looks like that?

 O: Well, I could make it $26,000?

 B: That doesn’t make it look any better. What are you, stupid?

 O: No! I have a law degree. How about $25,000…no, let’s say $24,000! $23,000? (thinks) Say, maybe you have a trade-in we could put into the deal? What are you driving?

 B: I’ve got an ’86 Reagan Special. Best car I ever owned!

 O: Gee, that’s a pretty old model. And it had a lot of problems as I recall. It didn’t have enough seats for the whole family and the old-fashioned computer controller kept falling asleep while you were driving. I don’t think the dealership wants to own a Reagan Special at any price. I can’t buy that from you.

 B: Are you kidding me? The Reagan Special was the best car ever made! Millions of people loved it. It’s worth more than this hunk of junk you’re selling! However, I could maybe be persuaded to part with it for $25,000.

 O: (to himself—Gee, I don’t think the owner’s going to be very happy if I tell him I bought a Reagan Special. But I want to be fair…) All right, I could give you $5000.

 B: $5000? What an insult! For that, I’m raising the price to $26,000!

O: Wait a minute! You can’t negotiate like that! You’re supposed to come down towards my price, not up! That’s not how we make a fair deal!

 B: More insults, huh? All right for you, then. $27,000!

 O:  I’m not trying to insult you, I just want to be fair! You’re not being fair!

 B: You’ll see fair! Now it’s $28,995 for my Reagan Special or nothing!

 O: (to himself—I can’t afford to keep going. Better do something) Ok, Ok. That’s fine. $28,995. Anyway, I cleverly note that’s the list price of the Barackmobile, so we’re at least making an even trade.

 B: Trade? I’m not making any trades. I’ve decided I don’t want a Barackmobile after all. Doesn’t look like it’ll last very long, anyway. My kids Eric and Rick will start fiddling with it and it’ll be broken in no time. No thanks.

 O: Well, I’m sorry we couldn’t make a deal.

 B: What do you mean, couldn’t make a deal? We have a deal for $28,995 for my Reagan Special!

 O: But that’s…that’s a trade in! Wait a minute! I mean…

 B: What are you, some kind of chiseling liar? You agreed on a deal and I aim to hold you to it. And since you seem so shifty here, I want it in cash. Now.

 O: Oh, gosh. I don’t know if we have the cash to do this. Let me go look in the back. Hold on. All right. I found some bills in a bag marked “health insurance payments.” I guess the owner wont mind if I use that. Here you go, then.

 B: (counts) Looks like it’s all there. Here’s your keys. You strike a hard bargain, mister. Pleasure doing business with you.

 O: Likewise. You have a good day now. Phew. Sure glad I’m president and not a used car dealer.