(The following text is taken from an article I wrote that appeared recently in several publications.)Are you suffering from blowhard burnout? Do you start to twitch every time a political advertisement appears on the television? Can you even imagine how the current political pageantry has the Founding Fathers and Mothers spinning in their graves, which by the way, probably has contributed significantly to internal global warming?I surrender. Just show me a ballot now and let me vote. Then I can get back to work and make money so I can pay taxes to pay for all this political puffery. Ultimately, all I want is to relax and watch television and not be assaulted by serious voices who tell me that my vote for him or her is the only path to true salvation. Cue the music, show the waving flag, fade to black.It’s easy to be critical because we have the freedom to complain, protest, and demonstrate without the risk of being run over by a tank. And for every cynic there is an optimistic patriot who passionately believes in our system of democracy. They are the flag-waving heart and soul of our great country. They attend parades, stand up for the National Anthem and hold their babies up to be kissed by compassionate contenders who promise them a free-range chicken in every pot, even though the pot is made in China.Many of the most fervent defenders of our government are those who came from oppressed countries. They were drawn by the promise of hope inscribed on the Statue of Liberty: “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.” Many new citizens who regularly vote have been denied the right and pleasure of selecting their leaders. They know the United States provides a chance for choice, and even with the flawed and fickle government system, it’s still the best in the world.After a moment of serious thought, maybe it’s time to do something about the electoral system and try and make it better. We the People must demand the necessary changes. Shorten the campaign season. Put stricter laws on campaign contributions. Demand term limits. Require that the people vote on politician’s salary increases and retirement programs. Mandate that politicians show up for work and actually work. Consider merit pay, accountability and performance evaluations. Make them live on a budget and pay taxes. In other words, require our elected officials to live like we do.We need a revolution fueled by voter revenge. Perhaps it’s time to elect a leader for this important movement. Is anyone ready to campaign?
Search Results for: voices of the year
Midlife Cabernet – Don’t Irritate a Menopausal Writer
Boise’s “alternative” newspaper intends to print a negative review of our new book, Drinking with Dead Women Writers. As the coauthor and publisher of the book, I appreciate any publicity, but I do hope the article will be placed ahead of the provocative ads for bi-sexual swingers and discreet Asian escorts. Otherwise, the book could get lost in that prolific cornucopia of literary excellence.
I was sad for two minutes after hearing about the pessimistic review. But, I’ll save a copy in my “Stupid Rejections” file – which is delightfully smaller than my file labeled “Hot Damn, I Won!” Before publication, the book was reviewed by an internationally-renowned, successful author. He wrote that the stories were “a rare mix of cleverness and intellect, and a total blast to read.” That review goes into the “win” file along with other glowing comments.
On a more positive note, I’ve also learned that my company Mill Park Publishing is a Bronze Medal winner in the 2012 Independent Publisher Book Awards (IPPY), and our book Little White Dress was selected from more than 5,200 entries from around the world. The Ippy Awards honor and recognize excellence in independent publishing and writing. So, put that in your crack pipe and smoke it, Boise Weekly.
Mill Park Publishing has published five books in the last two years, all of them written by local women authors. Little White Dress provided 26 women writers with the opportunity to share their stories about the myth and meaning of their wedding dresses. Now these women can promote the fact that they are authors of a national award-winning anthology. We have four more books scheduled to be released in the next year, and they are written by, about and for women. Most of us are have survived the slings and arrows of outrageous criticism and now we’re mature enough to wash away any lingering homicidal tendencies with a bold Cabernet.
Drinking with Dead Women Writers offers a collection of essays about 16 famous women writers. In researching the greatest female voices in literary history, AK Turner and I discovered fascinating facts: many of these women suffered numerous rejections, others weren’t published until after their death, one published only one novel but it won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, and several wrote under pseudonyms or used a man’s name because the prevailing opinion was that women didn’t have the competence to be writers. My name is Elaine Ambrose.
Today’s blog is fueled by a delightful bottle of Three Legged Red by Dunham Cellars in Walla Walla, Wa. It’s only $18, and it’s the cheap cousin of Dunham Cellars 2008 Trutina, a marvelous blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Merlot. That wine goes for $30, and both wines can be found at A New Vintage Wine Shop near Fairview and Eagle Road. Read the label on the Three Legged Red – it’s a touching story about an injured puppy named Port.
