Cronin: Maybe there’s another option for president

In my December 2015 column entitled “Troubled by Hillary’s behavior,” I made the case against another Clinton administration. Things have since gotten worse. No longer satisfied with being merely unlikable, she seems hell bent on destroying what little is left of her credibility. She is succeeding magnificently.

Her likely opponent is an equally spectacular train wreck, a larger-than-life billionaire, real estate mogul, and cheesy reality show host who vows to make America “great again.”

Imagine their first debate when Hillary runs circles around him on foreign policy. One can almost hear his response. “Oh yeah? Well, you’ve got a fat ass!” Boom! Game, set, match! America 2016. Crudity transcendent.

Imagine Donald in the White House. President Trump will get those pesky Europeans back under control. His blunt, yet “refreshingly honest,” style of diplomacy will also prove particularly effective in the countries of the Middle and Far East, proud and ancient cultures that have historically always appreciated being called liars, cowards, and fools. He should be able to win them over in no time. If that does not work, he can always carpet bomb. Or build a wall.

Be honest. Who has not asked the question: Is this the best we can do? A reckless, bombastic jackass or a duplicitous, serial liar? This is not even a “Hobson’s Choice.” At least Hobson’s customers eventually got a horse. Just not the one they wanted. We get bupkis.

This is not my circus. These are not my monkeys. I cannot “feel the Bern.” I am not “with Hillary.” I do not wish to see America “great again,” at least not the kind of America I fear this dreadful man is talking about. So where does that leave someone who loves this country and has sworn to defend the documents upon which she was founded?

For the 46 years I have proudly performed my civic duty (minus the times my military overseas absentee ballots were mysteriously dismissed, “sans” explanation), I never once seriously considered one of the alternative political parties. I simply assumed their candidate would be either some clueless pharmacist from Kankakee, Illinois, or a lovable, crazy man from New Hampshire with a boot on his head and the promise of a free pony for everyone. Now, as much as I would really appreciate having my own pony, the stakes are simply too high. I will have to learn to live without. Being a patriot demands sacrifice.

Recently, in a flash of whimsy (or was it despair?), I decided to take a look at the Libertarian Party. Just for fun, of course. Why not? Maybe they promise free ponies too. I discovered instead there were neither ponies nor pharmacists from the heartland. On the contrary, the front runner is a two-term governor of New Mexico. His running mate is a two-term governor from Massachusetts. Their biographies are impressive.

Next, I decided to check out the party platform. Surely it was full of nonsense. This is, after all, not a “real” political party. I discovered instead something altogether unexpected. Only a few pages in length, it seemed there was something for everyone. LGBT rights? Libertarians say the government has no right to interfere. The Second Amendment? They support it. Abortion? Ultimately, it is the woman’s choice. Death penalty? Libertarians say no. Foreign military intervention? Libertarians urge caution. Perhaps the party’s motto says it best. “Minimum government. Maximum freedom.”

Finally, I scoured the web for scandal. Surely the Libertarians are no less guilty of “high crime and misdemeanors.” One journalist accused them of “cognitive dissonance.” Really? You could say the same about the other parties. I read elsewhere that Libertarians mismanaged their internal operating budget. Disappointing. Fortunately, there are Democrats and Republicans who will happily teach them everything they know about fiscal responsibility.

Cronin is a Poway resident and the assistant police chief at MCAS Miramar.