“In many areas of the economy, Maine concluded 2005 no better than it began the year; in some areas, the situation worsened,” wrote regional economist Brad Hershbein in the May/June 2005 issue of “Indicators,” a monthly publication of the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston.

“Maine was the only New England state – and the only state in the nation except for Hurricane Katrina victim Louisiana to see economic activity decline,” Hershbein concluded.

You could get really upset about this situation and, occasionally, I’ll admit, I do; but I had to look for some humor in all of this. Please take the following in that light.

What do the Baldacci administration and Maine Democrats have to be thankful for in 2005? Hurricane Katrina. Otherwise Maine would be dead last economically.

What do New Orleans and Augusta have in common? They are both run by bald guys who don’t appear to have a clue.

What do Mayor Nagy and Gov. Blanco have that Baldacci doesn’t? A Category 5 excuse.

How come Louisiana gets $60 billion to rebuild their economy and Maine doesn’t? Well, Maine wasn’t dead last economically.

If a hurricane named Katrina can destroy Louisiana, and it can be declared a natural disaster area, do Democrat policies qualify for Maine? No, Democrats’ policies aren’t natural.

And, no one has declared Maine a Democrat Economic Area Disaster Zone – DEAD Zone – yet.

Lawrence “J” Dwight, Wilton