I’m proud to be a U.S. citizen. I was sworn in as a naturalized U.S. citizen in front of family and friends on Feb. 28, 2003, in the federal courthouse in Erie.

One of the privileges I gained that day was the right to vote. I was already paying U.S. taxes and had followed the law by signing up each year for Selective Service. Since that day in 2003 I have exercised my right to vote in every election. Who I vote for is not what matters here. The important issue is that my vote, legally cast as it always has been, is counted.

Some 70 Republican Pennsylvania politicians including our State Rep. Kathy Rapp signed on with U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly’s petition to the Supreme Court in an attempt to overturn the outcome of the Presidential election in Pennsylvania and so subvert both the U.S. Constitution and the Constitution of this Commonwealth. This effort is counter to their oath of office and was aimed at helping the soon to be ex-President Trump.

I swore an oath of allegiance to the United States that day in 2003. I have upheld that oath.

It seems obvious to me that the oath Kelly swore, on taking office, to “support, and defend the Constitution of the United States” and the oath Rapp swore “to support, obey and defend the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of this Commonwealth” have been ignored by them and all of the other politicians involved. This blatant attempt to try to reverse the result of the election and the will of the voters would disenfranchise some 2.5 million Pennsylvanian voters. That would include me.

It takes courage to do the right thing.

Those in office who have kowtowed and pandered to the soon to be ex-President Donald Trump and have attempted to subvert our Constitution will not be forgotten. Their cowardice and trampling of the Constitution will follow them in this life. This is how they will be forever remembered. History books will record their shameful behavior.

This glorious nation has needed leadership and empathy. Within our Commonwealth and Nation, too many people are going without food, without a roof over their heads, without a paycheck and without healthcare, just to name a few of the important issues currently being ignored and overlooked. These same 70 politicians, including Kelly and Rapp, in their ivory towers with their gilt-edged benefits and pensions, want to reverse the will of their constituents’ election choices. It seems they have forgotten who they work for. I say shame on them and when their time in office ends, I say good riddance.

It’s time for these deceitful, trumped-up lawsuits to stop. It’s time to acknowledge that Joe Biden and Kamala Harris will be the next President and Vice-President. It’s time for our politicians to do some real work and help those in need.

It takes courage to do the right thing and these politicians don’t have any.

Mark Evans is a Warren resident.