The senator

[Ahar]

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."