>> > >THIS IS A NONPARTISAN JOKE THAT CAN BE
>> > >ENJOYED BY BOTH PARTIES!
>> > >
>> > >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."