Those who have read my guest articles in our local papers, my posts on STP or who have visited my website www.robincutson.com probably already know a little bit about me and my political views and concerns.

For those who don’t, I offer the following . . Although I have always been a registered Democrat, I think and vote more like an independent. I believe that partisan politics only gets in the way of problem solving.

I have interned at a Legal Aid office, worked as a volunteer for an APS wildlife rescue program, engaged in lobbying to promote the humane treatment of animals, been an outspoken advocate of women’s rights and have lobbied at the local and state level to save wetlands and waterways.

I have also spoken up locally against wasteful government spending and escalating taxes and fees.

When I’ve spoken out against rising taxes and wasteful spending I’ve been called an anti-tax right wing conservative. But I believe that government officials at all levels should engage in sound fiscal management and planning because escalating taxes and fees always hits the poor, the elderly on fixed incomes and people of moderate incomes the hardest. And concern about this used to be considered a liberal value.

When I’ve spoken out for protecting the environment I’ve been called a liberal “tree hugger.” But I’ve tried to point out that protecting the environment is not just “touchy feely”, it’s also fiscally smart. For example, you save the wetlands, in the long run you increase your drinking water supplies and cut the costs of trying to increase drinking water capacity by digging new reservoirs or laying pipes to tap sources farther away. And saving money and reducing costs used to be considered a conservative value.

For those who care, I have three degrees (in law, political science and psychology). But quite frankly I’ve met people with PhD’s that I didn’t think had enough common sense to be trusted to care for a goldfish for 24 hours. I believe common sense and integrity is more important than degrees.