Howdy! My name is Andy Arthur, and many of you know me as the political activist with the cowboy hat and a beat-up old Ford Ranger pickup truck. Yet, as you will see from this essay there is far more to my life then you probably know, and I am an incredibly dynamic person who has diverse interests.

A Fighter for Progressive Change

Whenever there's been a battle for progressive change, I've been there to fight it. I've knocked on thousands of doors, made hundreds of phone calls, and stuffed more envelopes then I even care to imagine. When progressive candidates needed my help, I've been there to push them over the edge—and into elected office where they can do good.

Below are a summary of many of the races I've worked on in recent years, with italicized candidates elected or re-elected into office where they can continue the progressive agenda. Winning is more fun.

• 2008. President John Edwards.
• 2007. State Senate Craig Johnson, Albany County Comptroller Mike Connors, Albany County Legislature Bill Alwyard and Sandy Gordon, and Sue Haynes for Brunswick Town Board.
• 2006. Gov Eliot Spitzer, Congress Kirsten Gillibrand, State Senate Brian Keeler and Tim Merrick, Assembly Andy Brockaway, Plattsburgh Mayor Kevin Duniho, Rachel Krestler Albany Criminal Court, Brian Levine for Albany Library Board
• 2005. Peter Carracappa 11th Ward Common Council, Bethlehem Democrats, Clinton Co DA Andy Wylie, Colonie Democrats, Heather Roland Albany Civil Court
• 2004. Howard Dean, John Kerry, State Senator Breslin, Albany DA David Soares

While most of these elections are now over, I'm still committed to getting new progressive Democrats elected and re-elected. I regularly volunteer and are involved for these important organization:

• Albany County Young Democrats
• Democracy for the Hudson-Mohawk Region
• Citizen Action
• Young Democrats of America Rural Caucus
• NYS Young Democrats Rural Caucus
• NYS Democratic Committee
• NYS Democratic Assembly Campaign Committee

People ask why I spend so much of my time volunteering for these organizations, talking, and communicating with voters. It's because I care, and I believe that working together we can do much to get our country in the right direction.

A Passionate and Critical Environmentalist

Not only do I spend a great deal of time outdoors, I also spent quite a bit of time working to push government towards the right direction on the major questions that we face today as we interact with the natural world around us. When there is an opportunity to learn about some of the environmental challenges we face, I'm there trying to learn about them.

• Today, I'm involved in Save the Pine Bush and putting pressure on the City of Albany and other local governments to do the responsible thing regarding protecting the Albany Pine Bush and sensible solutions to solid waste in our community.
• Tomorrow, I hope to be more involved in working with a variety of grassroots efforts to get renewable energy projects in our community.
• Previously, as a student at Plattsburgh State I was involved in the Environmental Action Committee and the Environmental Science Club, and worked to get an optional student fee to support renewable energy projects.

I have diverse interests in a variety of environmental topics. I'm always interested in getting involved in new organizations that deal with these topics, and attending free lectures to learn more.

• Solid Waste, Recycling, and Consumption
• Renewable Energy and Conservation
• Global Climate Change and Sensible Solutions
• Alternatives to Dangerous Nuclear Technology
• Protecting Open Space and Sustainable Agriculture
• Building Strong and Healthy Communities

I'm not particularly interested in making a political statement with my environmentalism. I don't drive Toyota Prisus, but a beat-up old Ford Ranger. I try to always be critical and objective, and I don't always totally agree with groups that I work with for the greater good they do to society.

An Advocate for Peace and Justice

I have been involved in Bethlehem Neighboors for Peace for more then two years, expressing my concerns about the unjust war in Iraq, that has been little more then an abysmal failure, that has distracted us both from our priorities both domestically and abroad.

I have proudly stand out on the Four Corners in Delmar on Mondays in rain, sleet, snow, and hot weather in vigil for the troops in Iraq, who have to suffer far more then I do out. While I respect our troops for all that they do, I feel that it's necessary increase public awareness of the War in Iraq, and generate pressure to find resolve in Iraq.

I am also deeply concerned about our declining civil liberties in our country, on many levels. I regularly participate in public forums on civil liberties, and often defend unpopular beliefs. I believe it necessary for our society's survival for their to be people with dissenting voices, even when they are unpopular or obnoxious.

I continue to look at ways that I can defend the rights of people far more marginal then myself, and seek for global justice. Solutions are not always easy, and defending the weak is rarely popular. Political barriers can be larger then life. Regardless, it's the right thing to do. I view my activism for social justice at all levels, as my deep care and concern I have for my fellow man.

Working Hard

Unlike many people my age, I have no college debt or loans to loans to pay off. I also have a pickup truck that I bought three years ago with cash, and still only has 88,000 miles (despite doubling the miles on the odometer). I don't have expensive cable bill as I don't own a television. I have several thousands of dollars of investments scattered around, and I continue to expand my investments.

How did I do it? I worked hard and chose an alternative to an excessively consumptive life that many of us live. Throughout college, I worked multiple jobs, lived at home (except when studying in Plattsburgh) and tried to save as much as possible. I attended a local community college and several other local colleges, spent only semesters at Plattsburgh State, then a final semester doing the Assembly internship.

My college record is stellar despite being such a community activist and working hard. Here are some the highlights of my college career:

• Plattsburgh State University, B.A. Political Science. Graduated with a 3.74 GPA, Member of Phi Sigma Alpha Political Science Honors Society. Assembly Undergraduate Internship Term Paper was awarded as a Distinguished Research Paper and was published by the Intern Committee.
• Hudson Valley Community College, A.A. Liberal Arts. Graduated with Honors and a 3.75, Presidents List. Statewatch Legislative Tracking Service Intern of Year 2003.
• Also I took classes at: Saint Rose (a CompSci class recieving an 'A'), University a Albany (semester's work on B.A. Political Science, GPA 3.54)

Last year when I filed my taxes I had four W-2 that I had to calculate with my taxes. That was because I worked at so many different jobs just to make ends meet. This year is a little easier with only 3 W-2 forms to fill out. At any rate I've been very busy.

• Presently: I work at the NYS Assembly as a Researcher. This is a learning experience, and it's enjoyable to have a full-time job with benefits in a field that is endlessly fascinating.
• 2007: I worked over the summer at the CDPHP Business Transformation Division as an Administrative Assistant. Prior to that I was an Intern with the NYS Assembly and had my internship extended with a prominent Western New York Assemblymember. Early in the spring of this year, I left my job with Catholic Charaties.
• 2006: I worked a variety of temporary jobs with Sargent and Blias, and from February-August was a temporary employee for Accustaff working at NYS DEC's Well Drilling Program.
• 2005: I worked a variety of temporary jobs with Sargent and Blias, and from March-August was a temporary employee for Accustaff working at NYS Higher Education's Programming Operations Division where I worked on a variety computer and phone systems. I also worked at Plattsburgh State Virtual Nursing Program headquarters, developing a database for tracking students.
• 2004: I worked for Sargent and Blais working at CDPHP as a Claims Processor. I also was an Intern at the Statewatch Legislative Tracking Service, and worked with an autistic boy on community integration for Catholic Charaties.
• 2001-2003: Fall 2003 started as a mentor for a disabled boy working Catholic Charities where I worked until he outgrew his services in early 2007. Summer 2003 worked at Testwell Laboratories as an Administrative Assistant. Previously, I worked in the HVCC Career Center as an Admin Assistant in 2001-2003. I also was an Intern for Statewatch Legislative Tracking Service, and worked at the now defunct Grand Union Glenmont in the Bakery.

It is nice having only one job right now and having benefits. It means I do not have to work as hard as I once did. For a while I worked consistently over 60 hours a week, 6 days a week, with no benefits such as sick time or vacation. Not to mention, despite working much less now, I actually make more money that I can use to invest or paying for living expenses and no longer have to live at home.

Living Smart

People are often surprised when they visit my apartment in Delmar that I don't have a television, much less cable or internet. I don't need that kind of technology in my place, polluting my mind and wasting my time with vein culture. I live simply, I have little more then a basic cellphone, a few kitchen appliances, a bed, a rocking chair, a desk, laptop, and a radio. All lighting is either natural, compact florescent, or LED-based. When I want the internet to blog, I just walk or drive down the street a half mile, and use the cozy and free hotspot at the Bethlehem Public Library.

I have half a dozen different wastebaskets for sorting and recycling various materials. I don't buy what I don't need, and avoid non-recyclable plastics. I use cloth shopping bags, bring food waste to my parents farm, and are doing everything in my power to minimize my waste. I keep the heat turned down to 50 °F, except when I am up awake, doing things in my apartment, and feel cold. I wear lots of sweaters. Lights are off when I'm not in the room.

One of the reasons I chose my apartment is it on two bus lines—Route 18 Slingerlands and express bus Route 19 Voorheesville. This means most days I don't have to drive my truck into the city, yet I live far enough from the city to know that my truck is safe during the day and is unlikely to be towed or broken into. I take the bus nearly everyday, and only use my truck for recreation and trips around the town in the evening.

Spending Time Outdoors

I love the great outdoors. There are few activities that I don't like doing outdoors, from cross-country skiing to camping to hiking. I spend a great deal of my free-time outdoors, as you can see my collection of photographs that capture a little bit of the outdoors for everybody else to see. I believe much of my environmental ethic comes from the time I've spent outdoors.

One of my favorite places locally is Partridge Run. I know my way around that 15,000 or so acres probably even better then many hunters. Nearby, Renselearville SF was a favorite camping spot until it became camping by permit only. My new favorite camping area is Burnt-Rossman State Forest in Schoharie County, a popular place for free drive-in camping by residents of the area. There are many interesting things to see and do up around Plattsburgh. There is a nearby state forest that I like to camp in, and in the days, I like to spend time down by Lake Champlain, up at Point Au Roche, and exploring the beautiful City of Plattsburgh, where I went to school.

I enjoy hiking the long path and climbing mountains, although in recent years it's gotten more difficult to find new mountains to hike nearby. I am working to improve my physical condition for next year, so I can do more strenuous hikes and see new places. I also enjoy going for bike rides particularly out in the country. I often take my bike around town, ride out to Five River Nature preserve, and to visit the library as an alternative to driving. I hope to do more bike riding, particularly next summer when I take a real vacation to the Adirondacks or elsewhere.

You always have to wonder what's around the next curve in the road or the trail. That's the spirit that keeps me searching for new places to explore and expanding my knowledge of areas. I rarely take the same trail or same road back whenever I can avoid.

Reading and Thinking

I have always enjoyed reading particularly about the environment and politics. I like learning new things, it's amazing what reading a book can teach you. My latest interest in reading about homesteading and small farming, along with books that deal with the question of energy in an era with global warming. Contemporary history and politics is another interest of mine. I am fascinated in the roots of the political parties, and events that where directly related to where we are today. The sixties and the changes of that era are of particular interest. I can find so many interesting connections in contemporary history.

I read the New York Times, The Nation magazine, and Mother Earth magazine regularly, along with a variety of blogs including Democracy in Albany, CapCon, AlbanyWeblog, Warming Law, Rooster Hill Farm, among others. There is so much information out there on the internet, and I often find interesting articles, "print" them P°F and save them on laptop for further study back at my apartment.

Learning for Tommorow

I do not plan to spend my entire life in Delmar. While it's convenient for my line of work downtown and for the politicking that I do on the weekdays, it's not a place I particularly enjoy being. I would rather be out in a rural area where I can be myself and make some more of my choices. I dislike the lack of freedom that both renting and having neighbors brings.

Why should I have to ask my landlord when I want to hang-up a picture, or have to keep my country music down to a reasonable level? Why can't I shoot off my gun from my back porch or have a burn barrel?

I was fortunate enough to get through college by paying with cash, and through careful planning and budgeting I am able to save some money each week as an investment in my future. I recently opened a money-market account (5.05% interest), and are researching a variety of Mutual Funds that will hopefully serve me well in the future.

Eventually, I would someday like to own a small hobby farm where I could raise cattle and other animals. I want to be a real farmer and be able to live and understand the rural life, at the same time be able to pursue progressive policies.

I also have been considering going to back to college not to study politics, but to gain new skills in computer science. I realize that there is many good paying jobs there, that probably pay better then doing political work professionally. I enjoy my current job immensely, but I realize I will need more money to fuel my future ambitions far beyond what I am currently paid. I have great hope for tomorrow.

I continuously read, try to learn new skills, and to network with like minded people in similar fields. It's not easy to get started, but I always am looking to expand myself and develop into a world that I dream in being in.

Just a Draft

So far my life has been little more a draft of the future filled with mistakes, cross-outs, and changes yet to be made. I am always experiencing and learning, trying to create a better future. Tomorrow I will not be completely like I am today, as I am evolving. Indeed, I hope to crumble up the first few drafts of my life, my identity, and start over and become a better person.

Someday, I will find my true self and my real identity, and that's who I will be rather then just another face in a crowd searching for my true self. The process will not be easy, but I will keep an open mind and always be searching for new experiences to expand who I am as an individual.