The Pearly Gates

Once upon a time in the Kingdom of Heaven, God was
missing for six days. Eventually, Michael, the
archangel, found him resting on the seventh day. He
inquires of God, "Where have you been?"

God sighed a deep sigh of satisfaction and proudly
pointed downward through the clouds. "Look, Michael,
look what I've made."
 
Archangel Michael looked puzzled and said, "What is it?"

"It's a planet," replied God, "and I've put life on
it. I'm going to call it earth and it's going to be a
great place of balance.
 
"Balance?" inquired Michael, still confused.

God explained, pointing to different parts of the
earth, "For example, northern Europe will be a place of
great opportunity and wealth, while southern Europe is
going to be poor. The Middle East over there will be
a hot spot," God continued, pointing to different
countries. "This one will be extremely hot and while
this one will be very cold and covered with ice."
 
The Archangel, impressed by God's work, then pointed
to a large land mass with oceans as it borders and
said, "What's that one?"

 
"Ah," said God, "that's Florida, the most glorious
place on earth. There are beautiful beaches, rivers,
lakes, and climate. The people from Florida are going
to be modest, intelligent, and humorous, and they are
going to be found traveling the world. They will be
extremely sociable, hardworking, and high achieving
people, and they will be known throughout the world as
diplomats and carriers of peace."
 
Michael gasped in wonder and admiration, but then
exclaimed, "What about balance, God? You said there would be balance! Everyone and everything seems so totally perfect in this place you call Florida!"
 
God replied wisely, "Wait until you see the idiots I'm
sending down from the North every winter!"