While walking down the street one day in Washington DC, a US senator is tragically killed by gang violence. 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, so we're not sure what to do with you.'

'No problem, just let me in,' says the senator.

'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 him are his friends and other politicians. Everyone is very happy, dressed in evening attire and having a grand time. They run to greet the senator and reminisce about the good times they had while getting rich at the expense of the people.

Some of his old buddies and he 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 enjoying himself having a good time dancing and telling jokes.

Before long though, it is time to go. Everyone waves a hearty farewell as the elevator rises with the senator inside. It goes up, up, up and the door reopens in heaven where St. Peter is waiting. '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 long, 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 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 the senator to the elevator and it goes down, down, down to hell. Now the doors of the elevator open in the middle of a barren land covered with waste and garbage. All of his friends are dressed in rags and are picking up the trash and putting it in black bags as more trash falls from above. The devil comes over and puts his arm around the senator.

'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 playing golf. Now there's just a wasteland full of garbage and my friends look miserable. What happened?'

The devil smiles and says, 'Yesterday we were campaigning. Today you voted.'

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