I considered places to put this anecdotal story (joke) about the death of a politician, Heaven, Hell, and voting. . although it is a joke I felt its placement here considering the date was appropriate. . HEAVEN AND HELL While walking down the street one day a Corrupt Senator was tragically hit by a car and died. 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 Senator.. "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," 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 played a friendly game of golf and then dine on lobster, caviar and the finest champagne. 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 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 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, 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 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.." Vote wisely on November 2, 2010
The point I was trying to raise really is that the two party system is broke and corrupt. The incumbents need to go, and to look hard for an independent candidate with values you can accept.
I know, but I was reffering mostly to the pre-voting promises...whether it's 2 party or 100 party, politicians always promise one thing, and deliver other...they promise heaven on earth, but deliver hell...every single time!
Indeed. I think the only way to fix the system is "out with the old and in with the new." Unfortunately, the American people get fixated on big names. I think some sort of term limits for congress would help. One look at that the rosters over the lost 20 years and what you see is too much recurrence of the same old.
Term limits ban lobbying aka "gifts" only registered voters can contribute to a campaign, no corporations, or foreign donations Also candidates should have to take an oath before a speech, like in a courtroom. Thus if they lie they can be fined or disqualified from the election, due to contempt.
Eliminate politics as a career choice. In the past, in this country, we chose the best from among us, and sent them to Washington to represent us. They would serve a term or two, then say "Ok boys, I've done my civic duty, now send someone else. It never occurred to people like that to make themselves exempt from the laws they passed, or to vote themselves raises. I heard a radio advertisement a while ago, and they were asking a bunch of children what they wanted to be when they grew up. One little girl says "I want to be a politician." When did politics become a career choice?
Agreed - in those early days of our Republic, an elected representative/senator had a 'real job', and they met inthe 'off-season', when the crops were in and the vagaries of day-to-day life allowed it. These men were professionals - lawyers, doctors, merchants, farmers, etc. Travel to the Capitol was an arduous trek by horse or buggy. They drew a stipend for the costs of travel and lodging - 'per diem' as it's known today. Political office was a civic duty, NOT a paid profession. We need to get back to that system. Along with outlawing all Special Interest Groups and PACs. Take away all those idiotic perks that make politics so attractive to the criminal classes of The Elite. Otherwise, The Capitol becomes just another gaudy whorehouse - but one in which the johns have no say-so in the 'services' they receive and are NOT left satisfied in the end.......
As I always say...only dead politician is honest politician...Is it possible to create deadly virus that attacks only politicians?...
