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Published in Melbourne Indymedia by an anarchist arguing against voting.
http://melbourne.indymedia.org/news/2004/10/81463.php
A modern parable -
While walking down the street, John Howard is hit by the proverbial Bus
and dies. His soul arrives in heaven, and he 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 such politicians up here, you see, and
so we're not sure what to do with you."
"No problem," says Howard , "just let me in".
"Well, I'd like to, but I have orders from 'on high.' What we do is have
you spend a day in hell, and a day in heaven. Then you can choose where
to spend eternity."
"Okay, I've made up my mind. I want to be in heaven," says Howard. "I'm
sorry but we have our rules," insists St. Peter.
And, with that, St. Peter escorts him to the escalator and he goes 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'd worked with him. Everyone
is happy and they run to greet him, shake his hand, and reminisce about
the good times.
They play a great game of golf and then dine on crayfish, caviar and
champagne. Also present is the devil, who's really a very friendly guy;
dancing and telling jokes. They're all having such a good time that,
before he realises, it is time to go. Everyone gives him a hearty
farewell and waves while the escalator starts on its upward journey.
The escalator goes all the way up to heaven, where St. Peter is waiting.
"Now it's time for you to visit heaven." So Howard joins a group of
contented souls, moving from cloud to cloud playing the harp and,
before he realises it, the 24 hours have gone by, and St. Peter
returns. "Well, you've spent a day in hell and a day in heaven. Now
choose for eternity."
The Politician reflects for a minute, then answers: "Well, I never would
have said it before, I mean heaven has been delightful, but I think I'd
be better off in hell."
So, St. Peter escorts him to the escalator and he goes down, down, down
to hell. Now the doors of the elevator open, and he finds he's in the
middle of a barren land covered with waste and debris. He sees all of
his friends, dressed in rags, picking up the trash, and putting it in
bags.
The Devil comes over to him and puts his arm around his shoulder.
"I don't understand," stammers Little Johny. Yesterday there was a golf
course and a club, we ate crayfish and caviar, drank champagne, danced,
and had a great time. Now there's nothing but 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...."
While walking down the street, John Howard is hit by the proverbial Bus
and dies. His soul arrives in heaven, and he 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 such politicians up here, you see, and
so we're not sure what to do with you."
"No problem," says Howard , "just let me in".
"Well, I'd like to, but I have orders from 'on high.' What we do is have
you spend a day in hell, and a day in heaven. Then you can choose where
to spend eternity."
"Okay, I've made up my mind. I want to be in heaven," says Howard. "I'm
sorry but we have our rules," insists St. Peter.
And, with that, St. Peter escorts him to the escalator and he goes 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'd worked with him. Everyone
is happy and they run to greet him, shake his hand, and reminisce about
the good times.
They play a great game of golf and then dine on crayfish, caviar and
champagne. Also present is the devil, who's really a very friendly guy;
dancing and telling jokes. They're all having such a good time that,
before he realises, it is time to go. Everyone gives him a hearty
farewell and waves while the escalator starts on its upward journey.
The escalator goes all the way up to heaven, where St. Peter is waiting.
"Now it's time for you to visit heaven." So Howard joins a group of
contented souls, moving from cloud to cloud playing the harp and,
before he realises it, the 24 hours have gone by, and St. Peter
returns. "Well, you've spent a day in hell and a day in heaven. Now
choose for eternity."
The Politician reflects for a minute, then answers: "Well, I never would
have said it before, I mean heaven has been delightful, but I think I'd
be better off in hell."
So, St. Peter escorts him to the escalator and he goes down, down, down
to hell. Now the doors of the elevator open, and he finds he's in the
middle of a barren land covered with waste and debris. He sees all of
his friends, dressed in rags, picking up the trash, and putting it in
bags.
The Devil comes over to him and puts his arm around his shoulder.
"I don't understand," stammers Little Johny. Yesterday there was a golf
course and a club, we ate crayfish and caviar, drank champagne, danced,
and had a great time. Now there's nothing but 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...."