Don’t like Trump or Clinton? Here is an option

August 22, 2016
Gordon Mullin

Gordon Mullin

OPINION by GORDON MULLIN

Its election season and most folk assume that they have only one of three choices for president: vote for Trump, Clinton or stay home. But I suggest there is another alternative.

First, a little background.

For me, the option between Trump or Clinton is the least palatable choice of presidential candidates in my lifetime.  If I were given another option, I’d pick any other past Republican or Democrat candidate who ran for president in the last 70 years over these two. No past major party candidate, in my recollection, has been so dishonest, childish, untrustworthy, dysfunctional or ill-suited as the two offered to us today.

I’d choose any sitting federal Senator over the Clinton or Trump offering. I’d pick their VP choices over them- happily.  I’m tempted to throw a dart at a phone book and I may be more comfortable placing the nuclear launch codes in the hands of this random person than either of these two deceitful candidates from our two main parties- or maybe not. It’s a tossup.

Neither Clinton nor Trump has a grasp on economics, trade policy, taxation or the consequences of their crony capitalist inclinations. They each campaign for our country’s highest office by provoking the ongoing hatred of their claimed malevolent groups du jour and offer themselves as saviors of the masses. “Vote for me- I’ll save you. I’ll give you free stuff and make your life perfect.”

The only reason either of them have any possibility of winning in this election cycle is that they have as an opponent someone even more loathed and untrusted by the electorate than themselves.  I’m having a hard time finding thoughtful commentators who support either candidate on any other basis than they’re not, you know, the other guy.

I fear for our country if either becomes president. Our allies are deeply concerned. No one with serious foreign policy credentials trusts Trump, and Clinton offers us Hugo Chavez in a pantsuit.

But there is another choice. It’s the guy who ran in the 2012 election for the Libertarian party, Governor Gary Johnson. Johnson was a popular two term Republican governor (1995 – 2003) in Democrat leaning New Mexico. He is honest, trustworthy and a deficit hawk of the first order and he’s running again.

His VP is also a respected two term Republican governor from a Democrat leaning state (Massachusetts), Bill Weld.

On policy, there’s a lot to like. Up front is the acknowledgement that our principal long term, and short term, problem is our almost $20 trillion federal debt, largely accumulated under presidents Obama and Bush. This sum rightfully includes the unfunded liabilities of our runaway entitlement programs and excessive retirement plan promises. These guys well understand the nature of our dysfunctional federal tax system and have a well-researched plan to fix it.

The fix is not a partisan issue any longer. It’s survival and neither Trump nor Clinton has a plan to address this overriding problem. Our grandchildren need and deserve this.

Johnson and Weld are strong supporters of term limits for all federal elected positions- House and Senate. In short their position is- run for office, spend a few years doing the job at hand, and then return to private life.  Just like our first President, George Washington.

Johnson and Weld know our immigration problems won’t be fixed by building a wall or demonizing immigrants. Instead of appealing to emotions, they want the government to focus on creating a more efficient system of providing work visas, conducting background checks, and incentivizing non-citizens to pay their taxes, obtain proof of employment, and otherwise assimilate with our diverse society.

They are strong constitutionalists and are willing to tell us the obvious: the national government has amassed too much power and we must return to a more federalist vision. We all know that power corrupts and they seek to create a government that does not overreach.

There’s a lot more meat on these policy bones and you can find out details on their web site and by listening to them on YouTube. I think you’ll find them refreshing and trustworthy. But, in this election, that’s a low bar.

To my friends who understandably claim “Johnson doesn’t have a chance,” I say, “Maybe not.”  But maybe he does. If Johnson can get 15 percent in five major polls by September, he’s in the national debates and all bets are off. Right now he’s polling between 8 to 13 percent and climbing.

Unlike past third party candidates, Johnson has appeal across the political spectrum. He will pull votes from both the left and the right, especially in this election where many voters simply don’t trust either major party candidate. You’ll recall that Ross Perot in 1992 pulled enough votes from the Republican base to hand the election to Bill Clinton. In 2000 Ralph Nader drew sufficient voters from the left to make an opening for George Bush to squeak through.

That won’t be the case here.

In this election, Johnson will pull votes from both major candidates for two reasons. One, Trump and Clinton are the least trusted competitors in decades so the inclination to “stand by my party” is weakened. Two, the Libertarian policy positions are, in brief, Republican in fiscal matters and Democrat in the social sphere. Both the GOP and Dem supporters will find much to like here.

Is it possible that Johnson could become our next president? I say “possibly.” I think the main knock against this scenario is really nothing more than the perception that he can’t win. I’ve often heard from my friends that, sure, Johnson would make a better president than the other two but they believe he can’t win and the normal inclination of most folk is to back someone who they think will be a winner. That’s how we’re wired.

I say, vote your conscience. Which would you like to tell to your grandkids, “I voted for the guy I most trusted, but he didn’t win?” Or, would you rather say, “I voted for someone I didn’t trust, and they did win?”

Which would you prefer?

In fact, there just may be, perhaps, possibly a third scenario. You could say, “I voted for the guy I trusted and he got elected.”

Gordon Mullin is a financial adviser in San Luis Obispo.


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Gary Johnson has absolutely no chance. Vote for Trump or Clinton — Whichever you find less objectionable.


A vote for Gary Johnson is either half a vote given to hilLIARY or half a vote taken from Trump. Please think before you vote.


Very funny article! Oh wait, you’re serious?


With the new 15000 documents released today 8-22 by the State Dept showing rock solid proof that Hillary perjured herself in front of Congress I don’t see how anyone could still support her. The green party has a good candidate in Jill Stein. She at least could be trusted to tell us the whole truth and nothing but the truth. Both parties need a wake up call.


People still support HiLiary because they think she is less bad than El Trumpo.

I don’t support Trump, but I will vote for him over HiLiary…but I don’t support him.

So, much of the support for HiLiary is the same. Support is not for Her…but against Trump.


Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump, spelling counts.


Birds of a feather. Tells a lot about her supporters.


Wrong it’s economic and defense anxiety that is driving support for Trump. One thing is for sure this election is exposing the real racists in America. People who can’t argue against supporting Trump without pulling the race card and calling people racist. The real racism exists in America’s left.


Another smoking gun is the ongoing ‘Clinton Foundation’ investigation, with all that Saudi & Muslim Brotherhood monies. They even have a branch in British Columbia., Canada with much secrecy.


And Trump’s Russian connections? Geez, his campaign manager managed campaigns for some really nasty Russian crooks.


Let’s be clear about this. John Pedesta who is the Chairman of the 2016 Hillary Clinton presidential campaign and previously served as Chief of Staff to President Bill Clinton and Counselor to President Barack Obama has a brother, Tony Pedesta.

Tony is an very high end Wasgungton DC American lobbyist best known for founding the Podesta Group (with his brother, John, who is no longer associated with the firm) This group has been associated with working with Paul Manafort and an associate, Rick Gates, in funnelling money involving the Ukraine.(Group.http://www.politico.com/story/2016/08/podesta-group-paul-manafort-russia-ukraine-227215). Notice we have not heard to much about this from the Hillary camp!


The brothers were also involved in tax evasion in the “Panama Papers” as released in April (can be goggled “Panama Papers” showed how Hillary’s Campaign Chairman John Podesta and His Brother Tony Podesta were Involved in Mossack Fonseca Tax Evasion).


Tony’s firm has also been paid by the Saudis some big bucks. CEO of Podesta Group, Kim Fritts, a longtime Republican consultant and adviser to Jeb Bush, is listed on the contract, which the firm would not elaborate on. (Arabhttp://www.breitbart.com/2016-presidential-race/2016/04/21/brother-hillarys-campaign-chief-john-podesta-gets-140k-per-month-lobby-saudis/).


There are several transactions from this firm that are very interesting at best. just like the Clinton Foundation which he has also been a big contributor too!


On the wheels on the bus go round-round-round round-round-round, the wheels on the bus…


Anyone else would already be in jail….If she wins she won’t serve a month without impeachment being brought up….the truth will continue to come out and it’s not going to be good.


See Grover Norquest Islamic institute’s operation green quest and W,s response lol


Seemingly, our younger generation today is attracted to a four party system, as in Germany & other democratic nations. Even Trump suggested that Sanders “should show them & run as an independent”.


It’s not unconstitutional & the time is right.


Getting in the national debate is one thing but it is the electoral college that elects the next president, not the populace vote.


With that stated why should we not vote for the lesser of two evils? And yes I remember Florida and the hanging chad.


The sad Truth is that either HiLiary Clinton or Donald Trump will be the next President of the United States…yes that is scary but it’s reality. So given that truth a wise use of your vote would be to vote against the candidate that you believe will do the most damage and be the biggest risk to the Republic.


In my sick mind, that is HiLiary Clinton.

We know what we will get with her, corruption, lies, continues war on end.

But with El Trumpo, there is at least a chance he could be better at solving the Countries problems with out of the Political Standard Box thinking. We have tried what Clinton is selling and it doesn’t work. El Trumpo frightens the political establishment to death…and that in my mind is a good thing, because what is good for the political establishment is bad for the American people.


I won’t be putting a Donald Trump bumper sticker on my car (not just because my tires would be slashed by the Tolerant Left) but because the only reason I will be voting for him is because I detest the other candidate more.


But with El Trumpo the liar or as we call it now I changed my mind…lol


You are in good company with david duke, michele bachman, banion and more, the group who has crushed the GOP and republicans in general so far that this is the end for the gop.


The gop who have abdicated from there responsibility’s of getting the countries business done, instead are the party of do nothing, closet racism, sexism or in other words the party of family values (as long as you are white and have $).


Drumph can’t win the campaign (not even running ads) but he will roll out a hotel and some brands. You could get a Mexican made american flag hat to help your sick mind.


El Trumpo the liar? Drumph? Oh yeah I’m taking your advise on the candidates. I think we can all agree which candidate has been the most dishonest about the most serious issues. I don’t have a funny name to call her but I sure don’t want to refer to her as president Clinton.


Poor Kettle…

If you are not a HiLiary supporter you are a racist…ha ha ha….

Nice typical talking point.


“The Republican Party’s White Strategy


Embracing white nativism in the 1990s turned the California GOP into a permanent minority. The same story may now be repeating itself nationally.”


http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2016/07/the-white-strategy/485612/


Oh those terrible scary white folk got ya scared? What on earth is white nativism?


“scary white folk” What are you talking about?


It is a quote, go read it if you have questions..


Nativism is not even a word why would I want to read such rubbish?


“I won’t be putting a Donald Trump bumper sticker on my car (not just because my tires would be slashed by the Tolerant Left) but because the only reason I will be voting for him is because I detest the other candidate more”


My thoughts exactly quote of the week!!!!!!


“…(not just because my tires would be slashed by the Tolerant Left)…”


You’re really onto something. While I’m terribly tired of the partisan bickering and consider myself a true moderate, one thing has become all too apparent to me.


The horribly entitled, sexist and terribly rude behavior of many of those on the “left.” It seems as if they think they have special license to act like jerks. They do not.


And that’s not a perfect description of the gun-totin’ right?


My point is jerkiness is symmetrical on both sides.


Yeah sure, a vote for him is like a vote for Clinton


and in California, does it make a difference? Hillary could have been brought up on charges and (D) still would have carried the state.


She could be locked up and they’d vote for her.


I would love to see her locked up.