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While walking down the street one day a U.S. senator is hit by a truck and, tragically, dies at the scene. His soul arrives in Heaven and is met by St. Peter at the entrance.

"Welcome to Heaven," says St. Peter. "But before you settle in, it seems there is a problem. We seldom see a high official such as yourself around these parts, and we're not sure just 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 mind. I want to be in Heaven," says the senator.

"I'm sorry, but we have our rules," St. Peter says, and with that he escorts the senator to the elevator and he goes down, down, down to Hell....

The doors open and he finds himself in the middle of a magnificent golf course. In the distance is a clubhouse and standing in front of it are all his friends, political supporters, and other politicians who had worked with him. Everyone is very happy and dressed in their finest attire. 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 turns out to be a really nice guy, one who dances with all the ladies and tells funny jokes to the men. They are having such a great time that before the senator realizes it, it is time to go. Everyone gives him a hearty farewell and waves goodbye 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," he tells the senator.

Before long the senator finds himself joining a group of very happy and contented souls, all 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," St. Peter says. "Now it's time to 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 him back to the elevator and he goes down, down, down....

The elevator doors open, but this time the senator finds himself in a barren wasteland, all covered with disgusting piles of garbage and waste of all kinds. He sees all of his friends, now dressed in rags, picking up trash and putting it in black bags as even more trash falls from above.

The devil comes over to the senator and places an arm around his shoulders.

"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 we all 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."