Everyone is talking about the Associated Press article today announcing that the Whoopie Pie is now the Official Maine State Treat. Which bothers me in all kinds of ways!

First, the LD71, An Act To Designate the Official State Treat and the Official State Dessert, was enacted on April 6, 2011 when it was passed by the state’s legislature. Our normally mouthy Governor, in a wise move, decided not to sign it on the grounds that there are more important things to do. Unsigned by the Governor for ten days is the same as if he accepted it. It will take effect 90 days after the 125th Legislature is adjourned. My point is this is week old news!

Second, what is the difference between a treat and a dessert? Not even Google knows! I’d much rather have a Whoopie Pie for dessert than a Blueberry Pie, though I love them both. Is one any less of a treat than the other? This is all about big business in government again. The Blueberry lobby must have spent some big bucks to over spend the mom & pop bakers of delicious Whoopie Pies. More proof of how sad the political process is.

Third, no one is talking about the Official Maine State Dessert being the Blueberry Pie. They are all talking about the Whoopie Pie. Clearly, the Whoopie Pie is the unofficial Maine State Dessert and the Blueberry Pie is just another popular dessert. Frankly, most Mainers I know will choose a decent apple pie over the greatest blueberry pie. How about ginger bread with real whipped topping or blueberry pie? WHich would you pick? Or maybe a Moody’s Diner Fourberry Pie? Something is wrong with the fact that no one is mentioning the official dessert. All the focus is on the treat!

Fourth, the bill itself lists the Whoopie Pie first! LD71 is written as follows:

An Act To Designate the Official State Treat and the Official State Dessert

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:

Sec. 1. 1 MRSA §225 is enacted to read:
§ 225. State treat
The whoopie pie, a baked good made of 2 cakes with a creamy frosting between them, is the official state treat.

Sec. 2. 1 MRSA §226 is enacted to read:
§ 226. State dessert
Blueberry pie, made with wild Maine blueberries, is the official state dessert.

Effective 90 days following adjournment of the 125th Legislature, First Regular Session, unless otherwise indicated.

Clearly the Whoopie Pie is a greater dessert. No one cares about the blueberry pie. I rest my case…

Whoopie Pie photo licensed CC-By-2.0 from http://www.flickr.com/photos/joyosity/3369713711/