When I travel around the state I've been struck by the fact that the values that unite Minnesotans—opportunity, hard work, fair play and responsibility—are much greater than the issues that divide us.

In my job as County Attorney, I swear an oath to serve and protect the public, to put the greater good of the many in front of the interests of the few. That means taking on the tough fights—going after the privileged and connected when they have the audacity to rip off the most vulnerable among us. I lead an office of nearly 400 people and we go to work every day knowing that we stand up for the people who've been victimized--people who are vulnerable and in need, through no fault of their own. I know what it means to be a leader who not only stands up against what's wrong, but who also stands up for people—our everyday heroes—when they need it most.

That's why I pledge to you that this election is not going to be another 24-hour-a-day-TV-shoutfest about what's right and what's left. It is going to be about what's right and what's wrong.

I've heard about a lot of everyday heroes when I asked on our website for you to e-mail me stories of what social security has meant in your lives. Scott in White Bear Lake wrote: "when my father died young, my mother needed time to get back into the workforce. She had three minor children, and three in college. We got through that tough time with help from scholarships, the public school system, and social security. We've grown up and have been paying back into the system for years now, and have been glad to do it, because we know how people can find themselves in need, unexpectedly, where all they need is a helping hand to keep things going."

According to Esther, who is 86-years-old, "I worked until I was 62, brought up two children, both went onto college, and at this point in my life I can't work anymore. I depend solely on my social security."

Stacy of Coon Rapids wrote about her father-in-law dying when her husband was eight-years-old and her father-in-law had no life insurance. She talked about how her mother-in-law supported a family of five while going back to school. She couldn't have done it without social security: "For years, their mother was gone before they were awake in the morning and didn't get home until they were sleeping. Mike's sister had to cook supper for them and his older brother often had to care for the younger ones when they were sick. Social security was a safety net for their family."

That's why I believe it is right to fight for a social security system that is a guarantee, and it is wrong to turn it into a gamble.

And I believe it is right to bring some fiscal responsibility to Washington and it is wrong to turn a $200 billion dollar budget surplus into a $400 billion deficit.

And I believe it is right to wrap our arms around the people who need it the most--our parents, our grandparents, our kids, and it is wrong to give an oversized portion of the tax cuts to the people who need it the least, the wealthiest among us.

I have always been proud to live in a country where we are there for the people who need it the most. I thought a lot about that over the Memorial Day Weekend, talking to widows and families and veterans at Fort Snelling. Patriotism means never turning our backs on our veterans when they return from war and embracing their families here at home. I'd like to hear your stories via our website amyklobuchar.com about veterans in your life—yourself, your family members, your friends and neighbors. What was their/your sacrifice? What did it mean to you?

I am convinced that your stories—the lives of Minnesota's everyday heroes—will make a difference in Washington. That's how we show them what's right and what's wrong. That's how we win this election. Join us.