description of American politics

[Asai]

This is a great glimpse of reality.

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. Pete.
"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 higher up. What we'll do
is have you spend one day in hell and one day 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. Pete 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 common people.

They play a friendly game of golf and then dine on lobster, caviar
and champagne.

Also present is the devil - really 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.
Pete is waiting for him.

"Now it's time to visit heaven."

So, 24 hours pass with the senator joining a group of contented souls
floating from cloud to cloud, playing the harp and singing. They have a
good time, and, before he realizes it, the 24 hour 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 answers: "Well, I would never
have said it before, I mean heaven has been delightful and all, but I think
I would be happier in hell."

So St. Peter escorts him down 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 champange and danced and had a great time. Now there's nothing but
a wasteland full of garbage and all of my friends look miserable. What
happened?"

The devil looks at him, smiles and says................

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

[-LMA-]

LOL

I usually don't read long posts with a story involved but I'm glad I decided to read this one

[OmegaZero_Alpha]

I don't see how this only applies to American politics, though.

[Kou]

Seems like it rings true for Americans seeing as we have a time proven low voter turn out when compared to many other countries who have taken on democracy. Add in the 2 party system we've had for how many years which seems like the final episodes of American Idol that always start with much hype over who is going to win and at conclusion the winner produces a piss poor album, never to be heard from again.

Unless there is a coming out/sex scandal/both.

[Rostov]

Seems like it rings true for Americans seeing as we have a time proven low voter turn out when compared to many other countries who have taken on democracy.
.

The recent Canadian election(October 14th) had the lowest voter turnout in our history, about 57% participation rate. Among the 18-24 age group, the turnout rate was even lower. Going back over the last few decades, voter turnout has been steadily declining.

I understand that failing to vote in Australia results in a fine, with higher fines imposed over subsequent failures to vote.

[OmegaZero_Alpha]

fining people for not voting? How is that democracy?

than again, they do pay tens of thousands of dollars for computers...

[Zeitgeist]

fining people for not voting? How is that democracy?

how is our current system a democracy?

[Rostov]

fining people for not voting? How is that democracy?

than again, they do pay tens of thousands of dollars for computers...

Not being Australian, I don't understand their reasoning myself. However, in the old Soviet Union, consistently refusing to vote(!) in their elections resulted in imprisonment.

[Zeitgeist]

fining people for not voting? How is that democracy?

than again, they do pay tens of thousands of dollars for computers...

Not being Australian, I don't understand their reasoning myself. However, in the old Soviet Union, consistently refusing to vote(!) in their elections resulted in imprisonment.

in soviet union, government fines YOU.

rofl.


but no seriously, democracies are a failure. need proof? go to wallmart and people watch. some of those people shouldnt be allowed out of their house, let alone into a voting booth where their opinions are equal to that of much more informed and educated persons. and i don't know about you, but i don't want "joe sixpack" to decide who should lead the government, because "joe sixpack" doesn't know shit about shit.

[OmegaZero_Alpha]

That is why I approve the voter turnout. The amount of people who vote is approximately the amount of people who know about politics and give enough of a shit. People who don't know generally don't vote.