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."
Submitted by Donna, Emmitsburg, Md.
