This is one of those pass along emails, one which causes you to stop and consider the situation. It carried such a powerful message that I thought you might enjoy it as much as I did.
Here's the story: They played a friendly game of golf and then dined on lobster, caviar and the finest champagne. While walking down the street one day a corrupt Senator was hit by a bus and pronounced dead.
His soul arrives in heaven and St. Peter meets him 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," the Senator says. "Well, I'd like to, but I have orders from the higher ups. 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," the Senator says. "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 of his friends and other politicians who had worked with him over the years.
Everyone is very happy and dressed in evening 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.
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 Senator realizes it, it's 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 passed 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, 24 hours has elapsed 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 ... 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 to the ground.
The devil comes over to him and puts his 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 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."
It's a simple message: Nov. 6, is your chance to elect the man who will serve the highest office in the world, the President of the United States of America. This message reminds us of how we cannot be swayed by what we see and hear; we must vote based on what we know.
Lyndia Grant is a columnist with the Washington Informer. She is also a radio talk show host on WYCB-AM, Fridays at 6 p.m. Call 202-518-3192, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ; send emails to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .