Candidate Profile-State Rep. District 3 Position B-Ronald K. Johnson (D)

Birth date: 4/13/36

Profession: Retired Airline and Military Pilot

Educational background: B.S. Aeronautical Engineering

Public service: Democratic Party precinct Chair for District 31 and Kootenai County State Committeeman for the Idaho Democratic Party

Community service: Member of the Post Falls Community Volunteers

How many years as a resident of your city: 15 years

Marital status: Married

Family: 1wife, 2 daughters, 1 son, 4 grandsons, 1 granddaughter, 1 Bernese Mountain Dog

Hobbies: Keeping informed and building the Kootenai County Democratic party. I also enjoy watching old movies with an emphasis on WWII.

Why are you running for office?

Voter choice. I am an unusual candidate because I will not solicit contributions for my campaign. Taking contributions would defeat my rationale in running for office. I believe that the constant search for money, and the people who provide it have diminished our democracy and the true managers of our government are the people who lobby and buy our politicians.

2. What do you see as the three biggest issues you’ll face?

A. The dictatorial hold on our government by lobbyists

B. Good jobs and the associated good treatment for employees

C. The destruction of education by non-educators.

3. If elected, what steps will you take to resolve these issues?

A. I would try to diminish and eradicate, where possible, the influence of paid lobbyists. These are usually people who use money and gifts to accomplish their client’s objectives without regard to what is best for the people that the legislators were hired to represent and protect.

B. Instead of the practice used now of selling our state with cheap labor, I would stress the Idaho worker’s talents and their work ethic. Companies would come to Idaho for the quality of life potential with good schools and good infrastructure. I would stress that any business that recognizes its community responsibilities will be welcomed and treated fairly.

C. There is a strong lobbying effort to destroy the public school system that has always been one of the great strengths of our country and turn it over to profit takers who have no regard for the damage it will cause. I will fight against this destruction. I would encourage unions to create journeymen programs for our workforce.

4. What specific skills or experience qualify you for this job?

Seventy-six years of watching and learning and my ability to investigate, research, and learn. My total lack of any personal agenda to do other than that which is good and necessary for the people who elected me. Also, I will be beholden to none except the voters and surely not to the paid lobbyists who care naught for them.

5. Why should voters elect you, rather than an opponent?

Because I will be theirs alone and not the lapdog of those who are paid to elevate their causes above those of the voters.