By: John Kolis

Autumn in New England; there is really nothing like it. There is a distinct moment when the  air shifts, cooler and crisper, signaling that summer has officially passed. Leaves change  color and pumpkins sprout on porches. A walk around Belmont, the Town of Homes, on a  sunny fall day is a beautiful thing.  

And every four years, lawn signs touting a presidential candidate join the leaves, pumpkins,  and Halloween decorations. It is part of American culture, a simple and benign expression  of free speech as guaranteed in the constitution. Yet many people have told me I am brave  for displaying TRUMP*2024. Brave? I know firefighters, soldiers, police officers, and first  responders who are truly brave. I know adventurers and athletes who put themselves at  risk to explore their boundaries. That takes guts and I think they are brave. If Belmont  residents must be brave to express themselves, then something is wrong with Belmont. 

In the few weeks that my TRUMP*2024 sign has been on display, the reaction has been  more positive than negative. Yes, one female runner passing by saw the sign and, without  breaking stride, raised her hands above her head and shouted, “Go Kamala, F*** Trump”.  Not a lot of people can run, shout and maintain stride so I applaud her fitness. It does seem  however, a good example of Trump Derangement Syndrome. It was a stunningly beautiful  autumn day, she has the good fortune to be out running on a weekday, and she stains it.  Then again, her right to free expression, no matter how base, is protected. 

Ironically, in the evening of the same day, another woman rang our doorbell and introduced herself. She said “I saw your sign and had to stop by. I have lived here for several years, and  I feel so alone.” Indeed, our town has become so proud of its tolerance that it is intolerant  of any dissenting opinion and is quick to shun. 

The last time more Belmont voters supported the GOP candidate than the DEM candidate  was 1980. Since then, the gulf has grown to a very unhealthy 80 – 20 ratio.

Looking at this data while considering the “you are brave” comments, what should one  conclude? That 80% feel empowered to commit acts of vandalism and violate someone’s  constitutional rights? I certainly hope not, although when political lawn signs have been  vandalized in the past, it is the “red” ones that suffer the abuse.  

So, “How can you vote for Trump?”, you ask. Well, to be honest, he’s never been my cup of  tea, my first choice, or the image of a President that I favor. Nevertheless, I am casting a  vote for humanity and world peace. The planet is closer to nuclear war now than at any  time since the Cuban Missile Crisis (classified events not withstanding). The push for  NATO expansion is a misbegotten gambling with our lives. Similarly, enabling Iran and  weakening Israel has brought war and misery to the Middle East with a broader war or  nuclear exchange possible any day now. I am also voting for a secure border, enforcement  of immigration laws, Title IX, women’s sports, and free speech. If the collaboration  between government agencies and big tech to control the narrative doesn’t scare you, then  the gross misapplication of the law in the last 4 years should. Between inflations and  foreign policy, things haven’t been this bad in America since the Carter administration, and on election day in 1980, Belmont voted for Reagan. I have no delusions of Trump winning  Belmont, but I expect to see more Trump supporters being brave in the remaining weeks  without fear of molestation.