As Independence Day celebrations come to an end, the fireworks fade into the sky, and familial bonding becomes a backdrop to the rhythm everyday life, our unbridled patriotism may give way to concerns about the future of this country.

People are striving to make ends meet, Congress seems plagued by a partisan deadlock, and the foreseeable future may include mountains of debt and extensive searches for employment.

The greatness of this country resonates in every bone in my body. I want to preserve the policies that are getting us back on track, but work needs to happen to help us rise to our potential. There is no question that our country has been struggling. But we in this commonwealth have an incredible opportunity ahead of us.

This Nov. 6, we can send a message to Congress by electing Elizabeth Warren to the U.S. Senate. This race is beyond politics; it encompasses our fundamental values: do we want to say it's OK for banks to keep engaging in high-risk investments with our money, or challenge their irresponsible practices?

Do we want to protect Social Security and Medicare for our seniors, or risk catapulting them into further hardship? Do we want equal pay for equal work, or do we want to let businesses continue wage discrimination on the basis of gender?

When the recession hit, Elizabeth Warren took action. She formed the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to serve as a consumer advocate so banks and big businesses could not get

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around regulations and make a buck by trampling on their customers. The fight was not easy. She formed a coalition of over 200 small businesses and groups to battle lobbyist interests in Washington, successfully. She does not want to see cuts to Medicare or the privatization of Social Security. She would not have sided with Scott Brown's vote against equal pay for equal work for women. Instead of giving oil companies more subsidies and voting to double the student loan interest rate, she would work for the middle class and ask the very wealthy to pay their fair share.

Going door-to-door for Elizabeth in this campaign, I have seen and heard first hand the challenges that people are facing. I've talked with senior citizens who are concerned with how to deal with rising costs. I've spoken with students over $100,000 in debt. I've witnessed widespread disillusionment because politicians are valuing personal gain over real results. Scott Brown seems like a nice guy, but his voting record has awarded him the title of "Wall Street's Favorite Senator" by Forbes Magazine. He voted with his party 93 percent of the time before Elizabeth entered the race and the implications are troubling for a six-year term. With our country's future at stake, we need a leader who will put constituent interests first.

Let us channel the spirit of Independence Day and make use of our democracy in the voting booth this November. No matter how frustrated people may be with Congress, if we don't vote we are not doing ourselves or our country justice. I am passionate about Elizabeth because she is a strong, intelligent leader with integrity who has fought her whole life for the middle class. She is a leader who will work to help America maximize its great potential. It is time we take back the people's seat. It is time we elect Elizabeth Warren.

HANNAH ARRIGHI

Groton