While walking down the street one day during campaign a Philippine politician 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 politician.
"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
politician.
"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 is having a good time dancing and telling jokes.
They are all having such a good time that before the politician
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 in heaven
where St. Peter is waiting for him, "Now it's time to visit heaven."
So, 24 hours pass with the politician 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 politician 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 shoulders.
"I don't understand," stammers the politician.
"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 smiles at him and says, "Yesterday we
were campaigning
... Today, you VOTED."
PLEASE VOTE WISELY IN THIS COMING ELECTION.
