Real Ethics Reform & Government Transparency
After eight years of broken promises and failure by Governor Whitmer, Michigan ranks among the worst states for ethics and transparency. It's time for a new Governor — a qualified and uncompromised outsider to Lansing — to clean up state government.
"But an officer on duty knows no one — to be partial is to dishonor both himself and the object of his ill-advised favor. What will be thought of him who exacts of his friends that which disgraces him? The conduct of one will be venerated and emulated, the other detested as a satire upon soldiership and honor."
— Brevet Major General William Jenkins Worth, United States Army"Lansing is a mess — an endless cycle and revolving door of corruption and dishonesty. Authentic freedom for the citizens of Michigan can only be achieved by restoring trust in our leaders. Instilled in me as a young Cadet, the guiding principle in all of my endeavors has always been the West Point Honor Code: 'A Cadet will not lie, cheat, or steal, or tolerate those who do.' As the only candidate for Governor who is a true outsider to Lansing, I'll lead by example, lead the fight to clean up state government, and restore the people's trust."
— John JamesLeading By Example
- Full Financial Disclosure: Publicly disclose all personal finances using the Congressional standard. Require the same for all senior appointed officials.
- End FOIA Exemptions: Open the records of the Governor's office, the entire executive branch, and the state legislature to public scrutiny.
- Ethics Clauses: Require ethics clauses in every employment agreement in the administration.
Rooting Out Waste, Fraud & Abuse
- Comprehensive Audit: Audit all state expenditures for the past ten years — MEDC, MDHHS, and COVID-19 handouts.
- Investigate Unemployment Fraud: Investigate the $8 billion unemployment fraud scandal.
- Fund the Auditor General: Fully fund the state auditor general's office.
- Whistleblower Protections: Strengthen protections and increase rewards for state employees reporting waste.
- Audit Voter Rolls: Comprehensive independent audit to eliminate non-citizens from voting.
- Investigate Ghost Employees: Root out phantom payroll fraud.
Ending the Revolving Door
- Ban Session Fundraising: Prohibit all campaign contributions while the legislature is in session.
- Ban Taxpayer-Funded Lobbying: Stop public funds from hiring multi-client lobbyists.
- Limit Earmarks: Only allowed with budget surplus; 90-day advance disclosure required.
- 4-Year Lobbying Ban: Ban legislators and officials from becoming lobbyists for four years after leaving office.
- Close Gift Ban Loopholes: Tighten conflict-of-interest laws.
- Mandatory Ethics Training: For all state government staff.
- Ban NDAs: Prohibit officials from signing NDAs with private entities.
COVID Legal Enforcement Accountability & Relief
The CLEAR Initiative confronts the overreach, double standards, and lasting harm caused by the government's enforcement of COVID-19 mandates from 2020 onward. While everyday Michiganders were expected to follow shifting and often unscientific rules, many were unfairly punished — while public officials who broke those same rules faced no consequences.
Review & Transparency
- Establish an independent commission to audit all COVID-era enforcement actions
- Identify excessive penalties, inconsistent application, and due process violations
- Open a public submission portal for individuals and businesses to report their experiences
- Publish a Public Accountability Report naming cases where officials broke their own rules
Relief & Remedy
- Automatically clear non-violent, low-level COVID citations — especially those related to mandates later shown ineffective
- Refund or cancel fines for individuals and small businesses that acted in good faith
- Offer full clemency and record-clearing for unresolved enforcement actions
- Maintain a public portal for seeking relief, restitution, or correction
Legislative Reform & Trust Restoration
- Emergency Power Limits: Require legislative approval to extend beyond 14 days
- Due Process Protections: Prohibit penalties without clear legal standards and appeal rights
- Equal Rights in Emergencies: Constitutional rights don't disappear during emergencies
- CLEAR Restitution Fund: Support those financially harmed by shutdowns
- Reform MDHHS: Reform MDHHS influence over County Health Departments
Protecting Families, Empowering Parents
"Children belong to God. Parents have been endowed by our Creator certain natural, inalienable, and, therefore, Constitutional Rights to direct the care, teaching, education, moral or religious training, and upbringing of their children without government burden, except in cases of abuse or neglect where a narrowly tailored compelling state interest is demonstrated."
— John James
Article I: Right to Direct Education
- Parents have the primary right to direct the education, moral, and religious upbringing of their children, free from undue state interference.
- Parents shall have access to school curricula, materials, and lesson plans in advance, including discussions on sensitive topics.
- Parents must be notified and have opt-IN rights for surveys, health screenings, or instruction on controversial subjects.
- Schools must be prohibited from withholding information from parents about a child's mental, emotional, or physical health.
- Protection for parents advocating at school board meetings, including free speech rights.
Article II: Right to Control Children's Health Care
- Parents shall be present throughout the entirety of their child's medical visits — without barrier or excuse.
- Parents shall provide informed consent for any physical or mental health treatment for minors.
- Right of access to all school health records, including counseling sessions.
- Right to protect children against coerced vaccinations or treatments.
Article III: Right to Transparency & Family Privacy
- Right to inspect and obtain copies of all educational and health records.
- Schools will notify parents same day of any incident involving their child's safety.
- Data collection about family political, religious, or personal beliefs prohibited without consent.
- Safeguards against tech companies sharing minor children's data without parental approval.
Article IV: Right to Preserve Family Integrity
- The state must not remove a child without clear evidence of abuse or neglect with due process.
- Parents can choose alternative education — homeschooling, charter schools — without excessive regulation.
- Religious liberty for faith-affiliated schools and institutions shall not be infringed.
Article V: Enforcement & Remedies
- The state shall prosecute to the fullest extent any individual or organization that infringes upon parental rights.
- Parents retain private right of action to sue for damages if rights are violated.
- Annual public reporting by schools on compliance to promote transparency.
Guaranteeing Parents' Rights
Education Choice
Opt Michigan into the Federal Scholarship Tax Credit. Empower parents to choose the best school for their children — public, charter, private, or home.
Right to Know
Schools must be fully transparent about policies, performance, and curricula. No blocking parents' access to information about their children.
Expand FOIA for Parents
All K-12 curricula publicly posted before each academic year. Any deviation subject to FOIA disclosure.
Uphold Biological Truth
Teachers pass basic biology, civics, and economics exams. Promote ideas over ideology, academics over activism. Michigan is #45 in education — no time for proselytizing.
Defend Title IX
Protect girls' sports and sensitive spaces. Biological males compete only with other biological males. Fair play, safety, and opportunity for every girl.
Online Safety
App Store Accountability: hold digital stores accountable for providing age-restricted material to minors. Parents approve before minors download. 88% of parents support this.
Michigan's Kids Deserve Better
"My parents came to Michigan from the Jim Crow South with nothing but faith, hard work, and a belief that this state would give their children a better life. That promise was built on one foundation: a good education. That promise has been broken. This is a moral failure. Together we will make Michigan #1 in education in America by our state's 200th Birthday in 2037."
— John James
"True education is about purpose and preparation. A high-quality education is a civil right. It guides children to discover their God-given talents and equips them with the resilience and skills needed to flourish through challenges we cannot yet foresee."
— John JamesTen Pillars of Education Freedom
Choice
Every family deserves a safe school that meets their child's unique needs. Day one: opt Michigan into the Federal K-12 Education Freedom Tax Credit. Expand charter school options.
Accountability
Michigan ranks #44. Pursue a constitutional amendment making the Governor directly accountable for education outcomes. No more passing the buck.
Back to Basics
Literacy with proven phonics. Mastery-based promotion. Physical textbooks. Cellphones out of classrooms. The basics work — we're going back to them.
Every Child Gets Time to Succeed
Students advance by mastery, not just age. Targeted intervention for those falling behind. Year-round instruction available statewide.
Diplomas That Open Doors
Michigan needs electricians as much as engineers. Every student not headed to college or military graduates with a trade certification, professional license, or career-ready portfolio.
Money to Classrooms
Nearly 600 districts. Hundreds of millions in admin overhead. Less than half of funding reaches a child. Streamline bureaucracy. Every dollar saved goes to instruction and teachers.
Reward Great Teachers
Pay increases, performance bonuses, and public recognition. Fewer barriers so engineers, veterans, and professionals can bring real-world knowledge to classrooms.
Fairness for Every Girl
Defend Title IX. Girls' sports, restrooms, and locker rooms will be protected. Fair play and safety, period.
Support Michigan's Boys
Girls outpace boys in graduation. Young men face drug, jail, and suicide rates many times higher. Recruit more male teachers and mentors. Support innovation for young men's real needs.
Civics That Means Something
Pledge of Allegiance restored. Civics test required. Debate mandatory. Students graduate knowing what America is, why it matters, and their duty to secure liberty.
Stand with John James
Support the Freedom Agenda. Help make Michigan a place where every family can thrive.