While walking  down the street one day a US senator is tragically hit by a truck and  dies.

His soul arrives in heaven and is met by St. Peter at the  entrance.

"Welcome to heaven," says St. Peter. "Before you settle in,  it seems there is a problem. We seldom see a high official around these parts,
you see, so we're not sure what to do with you."

"No  problem, just let me in," says the man.

"Well, I'd like to, but I  have orders from higher up. What we'll do is have you spend one day in  hell and one in heaven. Then you
can choose where to spend  eternity."

"Really, I've made up my mind. I want to be in heaven,"  says the senator.

"I'm sorry, but we have our rules."

And with  that, St. Peter escorts him to the elevator and he goes down, down, down  to hell. The doors open and he finds himself in the middle of a green  golf course. In the distance is a clubhouse and standing in front of it  are all his friends and other politicians who had worked with him.

Everyone is very happy and in evening dress. They run to greet  him, shake his hand, and reminisce about the good times they had while
getting rich at the expense of the people.

They play a  friendly game of golf and then dine on lobster, caviar and  champagne.

Also present is the devil, who really is a very friendly  guy who has a good time dancing and telling jokes. They are having such a good time that before he realizes it, it is time to go.

Everyone  gives him a hearty farewell and waves while the  elevator rises...

The elevator goes up, up, up and the door reopens on heaven where St. Peter is waiting for him.

"Now it's time  to visit heaven."

So, 24 hours pass with the senator joining a group  of contented souls moving from cloud to cloud, playing the harp and singing.  They have a good time and, before he realizes it, the 24 hours have gone by  and St. Peter returns.

"Well, then, you've spent a day in hell and  another in heaven. Now choose your eternity."

The senator reflects  for a minute, then he answers:  "Well, I would never have said it  before, I mean heaven has been delightful, but I think I would be better off  in hell."

So St. Peter escorts him to the elevator and he goes down, down, down to hell.

Now the doors of  the elevator open and he's in the middle of a barren land covered with  waste and garbage.

He sees all his friends, dressed in rags, picking  up the trash and putting it in black bags as more trash falls from  above.

The devil comes over to him and puts his arm around his  shoulder. "I don't understand," stammers the senator. "Yesterday I was here
and there was a golf course and clubhouse, and we ate lobster and caviar, drank champagne, and danced and had a great time. Now there's just a wasteland full of garbage and my friends look miserable.  What happened?"

The devil looks at him, smiles and says,  "Yesterday we were campaigning...... Today you voted."




-- Modified on 2/6/2008 7:54:22 AM