Johnny C. Cochran
Libertarian | Alabama
Candidate Profile
Moderate
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Johnny C. Cochran
Party
Libertarian
Election Year
2022
Election
General
Race
U.S. Rep., Dist. 4
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Bachelor's in Commerce & Business Administration, 2006
WORK & MILITARY
Candidate did not provide
AFFILIATIONS
Candidate did not provide
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
Candidate did not provide
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
Candidate did not provide
ENDORSEMENTS
OTHER (1)
Alabama Cannabis Coalition
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (2)
Let Bama Vote
Alabama Cannabis Coalition
OTHER INFORMATION
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive funds from federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants).
Strongly Agree
Tax dollars shoul dnot go towards abortion.
I support 'aid in dying' laws which legalize assisted suicide and euthanasia.
Neutral
Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?
I am personally strongly against abortion, however I do not favor the State being involved. I believe more empathy is needed in this world regarding this subject. I have a personal story regarding a family member that was encouraged to terminate her pregnancy twice and ended up having a wonderful child. I also know if a couple that had a child that had a special condition that knew the baby would not survive birth, and they wish they could have chosen the least paniful way for their child to pass. I do not thing a law that bans abortion or gives 100% abortion access will actually change things greaty. I would focus my energy on things such as reducing red tape for adoption & stop the devaluing of the currency (#1 reason given for elective abortion is not being able to financially support the baby). Ultimately the decision must be between the parents and their doctor. But I would strongly advocate against elective abortion, particulary in the 2nd and 3rd trimester.
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
Religious liberty is at risk in the United States and deserves the highest level of protection in the law.
Strongly Agree
Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Disagree
I would never ask anyone to violate their own personal code of ethics / religious beliefs.
What should be the relationship between the church and the state?
Seperate, but we have to make sure that people don't worship the State in place of a religion.
NATIONAL SECURITY
With regard to America's foreign policy, which view most closely resembles yours: A) The United States should intervene whenever freedom is threatened. B) The United States should selectively help countries trying to grow democracy and fight tyranny. C) The United States has become too involved in others' policies and should remain focused on issues regarding our own sovereignty unless in imminent danger. D) The United States should stay out of foreign conflicts completely.
We shouldn't be an empire, policeman of the world. We need to get our own house in order. We should not mettle in other countries elections. We need a strong national defense. If military action is required, a declaration of war (per our U.S. Constitution) is required. We should give our soldiers clear objectives, victory conditions, and a plan to execute and quickly bring everyone back home.
I support the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement to pressure Israel to withdraw from occupied territories, remove the separation barrier in the West Bank, allow full equality for Arab-Palestinian citizens of Israel, and promote the rights of Palestinian refugees.
Disagree
People should be free to boycott or do business with whomever they like. From my point of view, there are both israeli & Palestinian people who want peace, but it is their governments that won't progress the peace process.
The Chinese Communist Party poses serious military, cyber security, intellectual property, and global economic threats to the United States.
Agree
What should the United States do to help eradicate the threat of Islamic terrorism?
Stop drone striking innocent civilians overseas. Stop aiding the Saudis commit genocide in Yemen. We could be teaching and investing in these countries to provide economic opportunities for their citizens, so that they can provide a good life for themselves & their families.
HEALTHCARE
Under what circumstances (if any) should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations?
I think people need medical freedom. There should never be mandates. An employer or school is free to require it, but an individual is free to not work at that employer or choose to go to another school (or home school).
What most closely matches your view on healthcare: A) Healthcare for all should be guaranteed and funded by the government with no private healthcare option. (includes "universal healthcare," "medicare for all," etc.) B) Healthcare insurance funded by the government should be available for all who want it, along with private healthcare options. C) Medicaid and Medicare should remain available, but no other taxpayer-funded programs are necessary. D)Tax-payer funded health care should be abolished in all forms, and Medicaid and Medicare should be de-funded.
I'd prefer to speak on this topic in greater detail vs. the four options presented here.
ECONOMY
Redistribution of income is needed to lessen the gap between the wealthy and working classes.
Strongly Disagree
The government should cut spending in order to reduce the national debt.
Strongly Agree
What changes, if any, should be made to the tax code?
It has to be simplified. The GOP promised to make it as easy as filling out a postcard. I'm open to a variety of suggestions, but the tax code is too complicated for regular Americans. it could be a "Fair Tax", a "Flat Tax", etc., but the current system has loopholes for the super wealthy. The overall tax burden on Americans and small businesses is too high, so we have to do whatever we can to lessen it to promote economic growth & prosperity.
IMMIGRATION
The U.S. should do more to physically secure the southern border.
Agree
People are just streaming across the border, so yes we need to secure the border. I don't think it has to be a giant physical wall, it can include some technology and straetgic border patrol placements.
State and federal funds shall be denied to any public or private entity, such as a sanctuary city, that is not in compliance with immigration laws.
Agree
Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?
We need to have an "Ellis Island 2.0". We need to have a revamped program that helps labor get to communities and companies that need workers and are unable to fill positions locally. There may be times where need increase the amount of immigrants and times we need to dial back the numbers allowed in, all based on economic conditions.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
Police officers should be personally immune from prosecution for conduct consistent with departmental policy (qualified immunity) while on duty.
Strongly Disagree
Our Officers of the Peace are not above the law.
I support redirecting funds from police departments to mental health and community programs.
Strongly Disagree
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
The 2nd Amendment shall not be infringed.
Victims of gun violence should be able to sue firearms dealers and manufacturers.
Disagree
ABOUT YOU
When you consider your views on a wide range of issues from economic and social matters to foreign policy and religious liberty, which of the following best describes you overall?
Choose not to answer
I am a libertarian. I believe in fiscal responsibility and balanced budgets, but I also believe in freedom to live as you want to live (as long as you don't harm others or their property).
Please provide publicly available information, including interviews and media reports, validating your answer to the previous question (other than your website).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QjYQb686i68&t=293s
Have you ever been convicted of a felony or been penalized in either civil or criminal court for sexual misconduct? If so, please explain.
No
What else would you like voters to know about you, including your legislative priorities?
I believe the two old parties don't represent my views, a limited government, Constitution abiding, fiscal responsible voter. My priorities are: Return to sound money, taming inflation, stop reckless spending, lessen tax burden on individuals, America become energy indepedent.
VALUES
Sexual orientation and gender identity should be protected classes in non-discrimination laws.
Choose not to answer
All individuals should be treated equally under the law. Your rights come from being an individual, not because of a "protected class".
I agree with Critical Race Theory (CRT) which asserts that the institutions in the United States are fundamentally racist.
Strongly Disagree
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I believe America should be home to people who wish to worship peacefully. Personally I believe in God and I'm glad there have been recent developments, such as allowing the HS football coach to pray at his football game. As long as you are doing somehing peacefully and not forcing others to do the same as you, we should all be able to worship the way we'd like.
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
We need our elections to be secure.
What laws would you propose to change present voting practices?
National holiday for voting. No early voting, everyone must vote in person except overseas military and those that seek out absentee ballots in advance. Our elections should be as many other 1st and 3rd world countries that can tally the vote on Election Day, so that winners are known that day. So our election system needs to be secure & AUDITABLE. This may mean making the election software open code, perhaps utilizing blockchain technology.
EQUALITY
Reparations should be given to people on the basis of race.
Disagree
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
No and I'm appalled that our national security complex has deemed people who are patriots and libertarians to be threats.
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT
I support the use of hydraulic fracking to extract oil and natural gas resources.
Agree
Our country is blessed with natural resources, we should be energy independent. Assuming that companies are following best environmental practices, we need to allow for more development. At the same time, if companies make mistakes and damage the environment, we need to do a better job holding company leadership accoutable both criminally & financially.
Which comes closest to your view? A) Stricter environmental laws and regulations cost too many jobs and hurt the economy. B) Stricter environmental laws and regulations are worth the cost.
A. - However, no one is talking about generation 3 & 4 nuclear technology. This has to and would be one of my priorities. It is a game changer than could lead to a golden age for our country. We should be the world's leader in this area.
