What is Quid Pro Quo?

There's a lot of talk these days about quid pro quo.  Do you know what it really means?  Here is the definitition:  In common law, quid pro quo indicates that an item or a service has been traded in return for something of value, usually when the propriety or equity of the transaction is in question. A contract must involve consideration: that is, the exchange of something of value for something else of value. For example, when buying an item of clothing or a gallon of milk, a pre-determined amount of money is exchanged for the product the customer is purchasing; therefore, they have received something but have given up something of equal value in return.

If you give up something of value and get something of value in return, its quid pro quo.  It doesn't seem to be that hard to understand.  I guess everyone's definition of "thing of value" is different.  We've got to understand this definition in order to know what politicians are talking about.  So much is happening and at such lightening speed, it's impossible to keep up.  I feel like I'm watching a soap opera.  Everyday there's something new.  This soap opera is so complicated that you must keep up everyday, or you'll lose the story line.