Rockingham Remembered
Wilson's Picks
Make The Wise
Choice
A powerful senator dies after a
prolonged illness. 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 guy.  "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 club 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 attire.
They run to greet him, hug him,
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 and caviar.

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 big hug 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 head of
state 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."

He reflects for a minute, then the
senator answers, "Well, I would
never have said it, 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 is 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.
The Devil comes over to him and
lays his arm on his neck. "I don't
understand,"   stammers the
senator. "Yesterday I was here and
there was a golf course and club
and we ate lobster and caviar and
danced and had a great time. Now
all there is, is a wasteland full of
garbage and my friends look
miserable.



The Devil looks at him, smiles and
says,

"Yesterday we were
campaigning...Today you
voted for us!"