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. 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. 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. We ate lobster and
caviar, drank champagne, 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."
