Republicans have a choice to make

It's time for Republican politicians to stop pretending that President Trump's tantrum over losing the election is a really a valid claim of election fraud. There has been no significant evidence produced that would overturn the result of Biden's victory.

On the contrary, election officials of both parties confirm that the voting process went smoothly, and the results are fair and accurate. Republicans now need to make a critical choice. They cannot continue to court the votes of right-wing reality deniers and still support our Constitution and tradition of peaceful transfer of power.

Two crucial next steps are rapidly approaching in mid-December, the certification of state election results and the appointment of Electoral College voters. By continuing to support the fantasy of election fraud, they encourage extremist Republican officials in some states to attempt to appoint electors who ignore the election results and vote for Trump in states he lost.

Every day that this fantasy continues, they damage our institutions and invite an attempted coup.

Bill Scown

Geneva