Left Of Lansing

#podcast #politics #Michigan #Progressives #Democrats #Republicans #Detroit #MichelleAdams #RacialJustice #SocialJustice #Race #Education #SupremeCourt #History #Voting #WorkingClass #ElonMusk #Democracy #Fascism #News #MAGA #Gaza #LeftOfLansing Here's Episode 119 of Michigan's Premier Progressive Podcast 00:00-12:12: Elon Taking Over USA Pat opens the show sharing stories of how Elon Musk is conducting, or attempting to conduct, a coup in real-time, and MAGA Republicans across the country are fine with it. But it appears grassroots progressives are organizing and galvanizing a movement to fight-back against this oligarchical and White Christian Nationalist takeover. 12:13-38:14: Michelle Adams Interview Pat interviews University of Michigan Constitutional Law Professor Michelle Adams on her new book, "The Containment: Detroit, The Supreme Court, and the Battle For Racial Justice In The North." Her book focuses on the consequential Milliken v. Bradley case, in which the Supreme Court issued a ruling tha

#podcast #Tariff #WorkingClass #Trump #Musk #Progressive #Michigan #MichiganDemocrats #Republicans #Taxes #Politics #LeftOfLansing Here's the Left of Lansing "Monday Musing" for February 3, 2025 It's absolutely hilarious to watch MAGA Michigan Republicans celebrate and high-five one another after Dear Leader Trump announced across the board tariffs for Canada and Mexico over the weekend. (Not surprisingly, Trump did rescind on his tariff threat on Mexico on Monday.) These same people who complained about grocery store prices, and gas prices, argued that their Dear Leader would lower those prices on Day One of his presidency.  Now, he's saying these tariffs could cause some Americans "some pain." Don't forget, while Musk-Trump are raising working class taxes due to these tariffs, Michigan Democrats a couple of years ago passed a bill that put money in the hands of hundreds of thousands of Michiganders! Please, subscribe to the podcast, download each episode, and give it a good review if you can! leftofl

#podcast #politics #religion #Michigan #GrandRapids #MichiganPolitics #Diversity #Hate #Race #MAGA #ElonMusk #Trump #LeftOfLansing Here's the Left of Lansing "Friday Short" for January 31, 2025. A Grand Rapids priest was removed from his position with the Anglican Catholic Church for appearing to mimic Elon Musk's recent "salute," which appeared to many critics to look similar to a Nazi salute. Calvin Robinson lost his position, but still defended his "salute" which he says was in response to "hysterical liberals" who took Musk's salute out of context. Robinson is no stranger to right-wing politics, which is why he proudly aligns himself with Musk, Trump, and the MAGA Cult.  Robinson is a perfect illustration of what MAGA Republicanism is all about, but is that what Christianity is all about? Please, subscribe to the podcast, download each episode, and give it a good review if you can! leftoflansing@gmail.com Left of Lansing is now on YouTube as well! leftoflansing.com NOTES: "Grand Rapids priest

#podcast #politics #News #Michigan #MichiganPolitics #Environment #SolarFarm #BigOil #FossilFuels #CorporateCorruption #CorporateGreed #ClimateChange #Democrats #Republicans #MAGA #Progressives #PeterSinclair #FarmingRights #Trump #Immigration #Economy #WorkingClass #LeftOfLansing Here's Episode 118 of Michigan's Premier Progressive Podcast! 00:00-14:16: Peters Not Running/MAGA Misinformation Machine Pat starts out of the gate lamenting about Michigan Democrats joining MAGA Republicans on watering-down minimum wage and paid sick leave in the state. He next turns his attention to Michigan Democrats in Congress, like Congresswoman Kristin McDonald-Rivet of Bay City, who still defends her vote on the Lakin Riley Act, which removes basic due process rights for migrants accused of crimes. Michigan Democratic Senators Elissa Slotkin and Gary Peters also voted for the bill in Senate. Pat wonders how being MAGA-Lite, and refusing to protect the vulnerable in society, will benefit Democrats. And that's why Pat expl

#Podcast #Politics #WorkingClass #Workers CorporateGreed #CorprorateCorruption #CorporateLobby #TippedWorkers #Michigan #Democrats #Republicans #Economy #RestaurantLobby #RestaurantWorkers #Progressive #MichiganPolitics #LeftOfLansing Here's the Left of Lansing "Monday Musing" for January 27, 2025. The Michigan MAGA Republicans majority in the state House passed bills that roll-back minimum wage increases, a phasing-out of the tipped wage law, and paid sick leave.  The state Supreme Court ruled last year that Michigan Republicans back in 2018 acted unconstitutionally when they blocked minimum wage and paid sick leave increases from reaching the ballot, and then weakening the laws during Lame Duck. The Court said the original intent of these laws must go into effect in February of 2025. But once again, right-wing MAGA Michigan Republicans are working to weaken those laws! However, they're getting support from some Michigan Democrats in hurting workers to appease the restaurant lobby. Pat explains how the

#podcast #Politics #news #Michigan #MichiganPolitics #Democrats #Progressives #Democrats #Trump #Republicans #MAGA #CorporateCorruption #DonorBase #Oligarchs #RuralDemocrats #WorkingClass #Election #Fascism #Transparency Here's Episode 117 of Michigan's Premier Progressive Podcast! 00:00-15:29: Pat's Mom's Passing & Influence In the first segment, Pat Johnston talks about his Mom passing away last week, and the major influence she played in his political and news upbringing. Like Pat, his Mom wore her politics and values on her sleeve, and she wasn't bashful about sharing her views, especially when she thought some right-winger was completely wrong! Her political values and passion have indeed been passed-down to Pat, and he explains why he's so incredibly grateful to have those important traits. Then, Pat explains the importance of focusing on local and state politics during these Trump Part II days. 15:30-37:25: MI State Rep. Betsy Coffia Interview Pat next talks with Michigan Progressive Democrat

#Podcast #Politics #Progressives #Michigan #MichiganPolitics #MichiganNews #Democrats #MAGA #Trump #CorporateCorruption #MichiganDemocrats #Republicans #Immigration #Oligarchs #TechBros #Democracy #WorkingClass #LeftOfLansing Here's the Left of Lansing "Monday Musing" for January 20, 2025. On this second Inauguration Day for Donald Trump, Pat Johnston explains why he can't get behind a wasted "Resistance 2.0." battle cry. Because, unless progressives fight for some real, populist change inside local, state, and national Democratic Party offices, no resistance movement is going to stop what's going to happen for the next few years. Please, subscribe to the podcast, download each episode, and give it a good review if you can! leftoflansing@gmail.com Left of Lansing is now on YouTube as well! leftoflansing.com

#Podcast #Politics #Economics #Progressives #Democrats #WorkingClass #CorporateGreed #Donors #Republican #RepublicanCorruption #MAGA #Michigan #MichiganPolitics #MinimumWage #PaidSickLeave #News #LeftOfLansing Here's the Left Of Lansing "Monday Musing" for January 13, 2024. The new MAGA Michigan Republican majority in the state House is supporting the working class by... watering down minimum wage raises and paid sick time leave? Michigan House Republicans are taking their marching orders from the powerful restaurant lobby by working to oppose what the voters in the state wanted: a $15 minimum wage by 2028 including a phase-out of tipped wages as well, and paid sick time increases.  Because when in doubt, you can always count on corrupt Republicans to hurt the working class while supporting management.  Please, subscribe to the podcast, download each episode, and give it a good review if you can! leftoflansing@gmail.com Left of Lansing is now on YouTube as well! leftoflansing.com NOTES:  "GOP-led

#Podcast #Politics #Progressive #Democrats #ProgressivePodcast #News #Michigan #MichiganNews #MichiganPolitics #MAGA #Eggs #Economy #Republicans #LeftOfLansing Here's the Left of Lansing "Friday Short" for January 10, 2025. The Michigan MAGA Propaganda Machine was in full anger overdrive over a new law requiring eggs sold in Michigan to come from hens raised in cage-free housing.  Michigan MAGA tried to blame big government state Democrats for the law. However, if someone just did a little reading, the law was scrambled-together by, and sponsored by, a Republican state Senator, who's also a farmer! The worst part, though, is that Michigan MAGA tried to blame this brand new law for rising egg prices in the state when it's the spread of avian flu that's to blame.  Please, subscribe to the podcast, download each episode, and give it a good review if you can! leftoflansing@gmail.com Left of Lansing is now on YouTube as well! leftoflansing.com NOTES:  "Eggs Hitting $6 A Dozen ... And It's Not Whitmer's

#Podcast #Politics #Media #LegacyMedia #News #Michigan #MichiganPolitics #MAGA #Oligarchs #ElonMusk #Zuckerberg #FreeSpeech #WorkingClass #Economy #Immigration #Extremism #LeftOfLansing Here's Episode 116 of Michigan's Premier Progressive Podcast! 00:00-16:00: Dems Acting Like "Maga-Dems" The first segment features Pat Johnston sharing his thoughts on both Michigan and national Democrats running as "MAGA" Democrats, and how detrimental that will be to a Democratic Party struggling to attract new voters. It'll be difficult for Democrats to differentiate from MAGA Republicans if they adopt MAGA policies. Pat points-out how three Michigan Democrats are jumping aboard a MAGA deportation bill, and how joining Republicans will further anger those voters they told Republicans and Trump were an existential threat to our country. And Pat talks about how Michigan Democrats in Lansing failed to pass important progressive bills, like affordable water, polluter pay, and government transparency, but they did pass a mass

#Podcast #News #Politics #Progressives #Democrats #Trump #Michigan #January6th #LeftOfLansing Here's the Left of Lansing "Monday Musing" for January 6, 2025. As Vice President Kamala Harris certified her election loss to Donald Trump in Congress today, many who voted for her (or against Trump) are wondering how we're at this place just four years after Trump orchestrated the January 6th insurrection. Pat Johnston believes it's a myriad of factors, including incompetency from Democratic leadership both on the federal and state level.  Please, subscribe to the podcast, download each episode, and give it a good review if you can! leftoflansing@gmail.com Left of Lansing is now on YouTube as well! leftoflansing.com

Here's Episode 115 of Michigan's Premier Progressive Podcast! 00:00-26:52: Where Will Democrats Go In 2025? Pat begins his final monologue of 2024 wondering what, or if, the Democratic Party in Michigan, and across the country, has learned anything after its deflating defeat to MAGA Republicanism in the election. Judging from how the D.C. Democratic leadership stifled Progressive Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez from becoming vice-chair of the House Oversight Committee, and how Michigan's Democratic House leadership fumbled the ball at the one-yard line during the Lame Duck session, it appears maybe they haven't. Which is why 2025 will be a crucial year to watch what Democrats have learned as we get ready for Round Two of Trump in the White House. 26:53-29:07: Ending

#podcast #Politics #ProgressivePolitics #Michigan #MichiganPolitics #Trump #CorporateMedia #Media #LeftOfLansing Here's the Left of Lansing "Monday Musing" for December 16, 2024! With ABC announcing its settlement with Donald Trump over George Stephanopoulos' statement that Trump was found liable for rape in the E. Jean Carrol civil trial case , ABC joins the rest of the corporate media's plans to normalize Trump as much as possible.  However, the corporate media's collective bending of the knee to Trump should come as no surprise to anyone.  The corporate media needs Trump in the White House, and Trump needs the corporate media. Get ready for some real state-run media for the next four years. Please, subscribe to the podcast, download each episode, and give it a good review if you can! leftoflansing@gmail.com Left of Lansing is now on YouTube as well! leftoflansing.com

#Podcast #Progressives #ProgressivePodcast #Politics #news #Michigan #Democrats #Republicans #Trump #Whitmer #CorporateDonors #Populism #CorporateGreed #WorkingClass #BigTech Here's the Left of Lansing "Friday Short" for December 13, 2024. Michigan Democrats are about to give Big Tech billionaires are huge victory this Lame-Duck session as a bill granting millions of dollars in corporate welfare for Big Tech to set-up environmentally-draining  data centers is headed to Governor Gretchen Whitmer's desk. Not only will it fail to deliver on the number of jobs it promises to create, but it's basically a handout to some of Trump's billionaire tech bros, and that includes his sudden warming-up relationship with Meta's Mark Zuckerberg.  Why are Michigan Democrats helping Big Tech Trump backers? Please, subscribe to the podcast, download each episode, and give it a good review if you can! leftoflansing@gmail.com Left of Lansing is now on YouTube as well! NOTES: "$90M data center tax break plan headed to G

#podcast #politics #Michigan #MichiganPolitics #ProgressivePolitics #Democrats #Republicans #WorkingClass #Populism #Populist #Economy #Election2024 #CorporateGreed #CorporateCorruption #Lobbying #Republicans #MAGA #TheAmericanProspect #DavidDayen Here's Episode 114 of Michigan's Premier Progressive Podcast! 00:00-13:16: Michiganders Want Populist Policies! After pointing-out more absurdity from Ohio Republicans, who've introduced a bill banning flag-planting on football fields, Pat Johnston turns his attention back to Michigan, and the many progressive bills that Democrats must pass while they still have the majority in Lame Duck. Pat talks about a Progress Michigan-backed poll showing how Michiganders support state Democrats passing progressive legislation in these final days of 2024. Many of these bills, like Polluter Pay, Paid Family Leave, water affordability, reproductive protections, and others have taken a back seat to more bills directing millions of dollars in corporate welfare. 13:17-34:15: TAP

#politics #podcast #HealthCare #CorporateGreed #CorporateCorruption #ProgressivePodcast #Progressives #Trump Here's the Left of Lansing "Monday Musing" for December 9, 2024. The reaction to the murder of United Health Care CEO Brian Thompson exposed the collective anger shared by millions of Americans when it comes to the health care industry.  And while progressives never believe murder is the answer to fixing America's problems, this murder also revealed another tragedy for millions of Americans.  That tragedy is that Donald Trump and the Republican Party will not lift one finger to limit the greed of the for-profit, and failed, private health care industry.  Another tragedy is that D.C. Democrats don't want to lift a finger to place more power into the peoples' hands.  Please, subscribe to the podcast, download each episode, and give it a good review if you can! leftoflansing@gmail.com Left of Lansing is now on YouTube as well! leftoflansing.com NOTES:  "Mitch Albom: Death of health care CEO u

#podcast #politics #News #Michigan #Progressives #ProgressivePolitics #ProgressivePodcast #Democrats #Republicans #LeftOfLansing Here's the Left of Lansing "Friday Short" for December 6, 2024. Pat piggybacks on some thoughts shared by Michigan Democratic Party Rural Caucus Chair (and candidate to become the next MDP Chair) Mark Ludwig on this week's show.  Ludwig believes Michigan Democrats must do a better job at fighting for every district, including traditionally strong Republican districts. Some within the party believe Democrats should concentrate just on southeast Michigan. Pat agrees with Mr. Ludwig that it's time for Democrats to fight in every area of the state, and to field candidates in as many races as possible.  Because refusing to do that will continue to spell electoral doom for state Democrats.  Please, subscribe to the podcast, download each episode, and give it a good review if you can! leftoflansing@gmail.com Left of Lansing is now on YouTube as well! leftoflansing.com Check-out t

#podcast #politicalpodcast #politics #news #michigan #michiganpolitics #progressivepolitics #Election2024 #MichiganDemocrats #Democrats #Whitmer #CorporateGreed #Progressives #LeftOfLansing 00:00-20:49: MI Dem Leaders Push Corporate Subsidies Pat reviews a fantastic piece by The American Prospect's David Dayen on how the Michigan Democratic leadership, which includes Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, are in serious danger of allowing major pieces of solid progressive legislation languish in favor of lavished corporate subsidies in the Lame Duck session. Satisfying the corporate donor base is apparently more important than passing bills such as affordable housing, polluter pay, criminal justice reform, transit funding, homeless bill of rights, water affordability, and more. 20:50-47:21: Interview w/ MDP Rural Caucus Chair Mark Ludwig The Michigan Democratic Party Rural Caucus Chair Mark Ludwig joins the show to not only talk about what went wrong in 2024, but why he's running to become the MDP's next Chair. Mr. Ludwi

#Podcast #Politics #Michigan #Abortion #AbortionRights #AbortionCare #WomensRights #HealthCare #Economy Here's the Left of Lansing "Monday Musing" for December 2, 2024. A new state report shows abortions in Michigan neared a 30-year high in 2023. However, the report shows non-residents accounted for more of the state's abortions than they did in the previous year or years. As predicted, women from non-freedom states, like Indiana and elsewhere, are traveling to Michigan to receive abortion care, thanks to Michigan's voter-approved abortion rights initiative in 2022 which enshrined abortion rights in the state's constitution. But because of this past election, Republicans are feeling more emboldened than ever, and they will do what they can to make abortion access more difficult. Please, subscribe to the podcast, download each episode, and give it a good review if you can! leftoflansing@gmail.com Left of Lansing is now on YouTube as well! leftoflansing.com NOTES: "Michigan abortions neared 30-

#Podcast #PoliticalPodcast #ProgressivePodcast #Michigan #MichiganPolitics #News #MichiganNews #CorporateMedia #MSNBC #Democrats Here's the "Monday Musing" for November 25, 2024.  MSNBC's ratings are cratering, and perhaps that's due to its longtime viewers not buying what they were selling for the last few years.  I am one of those viewers who has learned to turn-off the supposed "liberal" network after the election, and I'm better off for it.  And you'll be better off, too. Please, subscribe to the podcast, download each episode, and give it a good review if you can! leftoflansing@gmail.com Left of Lansing is now on YouTube as well! leftoflansing.com