I just received this in the mail from a Christian acquaintance who happens to
be the wife of a local City Councilman with a note "After reading your Sunday
article in the newspaper (about politicians) I thought you might enjoy this."
oy,
Stephen

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 are
not sure what to do with you."

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

"Well, I'd like to do 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 up 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 fellow
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 and up nd the door reopens on heaven where St.Peter
is waiting for him.

"Now it is time to visit heaven," St.Peter says.

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
believed 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.

This time the doors of the elevator open and he's in the middle of a barren
land covered with waste and garbage. He sees all of his friend dressed in
rags, picking up the trash and putting it into 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 is 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."