In the past three weeks, Theo Epstein has been able to change (at least “on paper”) the course that the Red Sox will be on next spring by securing an outfielder, infielder and much-needed relief pitching. I wonder, after pinching myself and making sure that it is not all a dream, that reality has finally set in with Fenway’s owners, to make the team a force to contend with.

We all know that this is the time of the year for miracles; some are too small, some large. Wouldn’t it be nice if the Red Sox general manager could take a couple of minutes to find a little more magic and go to Washington, D.C., to persuade the politicians to discuss important matters instead of worrying about going home for Christmas break while the working class is starving for economic relief and much-needed jobs? What an accomplishment that would be.

And if he still had a little magic left before spring training, come to Maine, spend some time with the new governor and legislators. And yes, he needs to come to Lewiston as well and help us deal with the never-ending control that the federal and state governments have over Lewiston’s budget.

The chances of the Red Sox making the playoffs in October 2011 are a lot greater than the chances that federal and state governments will get their act together.

I hope and pray that Epstein’s magic will succeed. Go, Red Sox.

Mark Paradis, Lewiston