Left Of Lansing

Click here to donate $5 on Left of Lansing on Patreon!https://www.patreon.com/15494297/joinHere's Episode #175 of Michigan's Premier Progressive Podcast!00:00-18:03: MSU & RxKids/Tone Deaf DemsPat Johnston covers how MAGA Michigan Republican House Speaker Matt Hall, along with MAGA House Republicans, are proposing a 62% cut to MSU & UofM in their 2027 budget. One reason Hall is attacking MSU is because the university is a sponsor to the popular Rx Kids program, which is a direct cash for parents program throughou the state. Then, establishment Michigan Democrats brought New Jersey Senator Cory Booker to speak just before the the party's endorsement convention last weekend. It's strange to have Senator Booker chide those who couldn't vote for Kamala Harris while he couldn't support fellow Democrat and NYC Mayor, Zohran Mamdani. 18:04-35:14: Aisha Farooqi For Congress InterviewProgressive Democratic Congressional candidate for Michigan's 11th District, Aisha Farooqi, talks with Pat about her campaign t

Click here to donate $5 on Left of Lansing on Patreon!https://www.patreon.com/15494297/joinHere's the Left of Lansing "Monday Musing" for April 20, 2026.Progressives scored some major victories at the Michigan Democratic Party's nominating convention over the weekend, including the upset of the weekend where progressive Washtenaw County Prosecutor Eli Savit defeated the establishment's choice of Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald to be the party's Attorney General nominee. Progressives also ousted a sitting member on the University of Michigan's Board of Regents, who attacked pro-Palestinian protesters on UofM's campus, and who also allegedly made sexually explicit texts regarding a Democratic Party official, and a UofM student. Some pro-Israel types are proclaiming the convention's results show how there's no room for Jewish Democrats, anymore. Yet, Eli Savit, who Democratic Party delegates selected to be the party's nominee for AG, is Jewish. Pat Johnston explains what's really irking some establishm

Click here to donate $5 on Left of Lansing on Patreon!https://www.patreon.com/15494297/joinHere's the Left of Lansing "Friday Short" for April 17, 2026.We've got some big Democratic Party Primary races coming up in August that'll give America a good idea of where Michigan wants to go. We've got the crucial Democratic U.S. Senate primary where the progressive Dr. Abdul El-Sayed is leading the two other establishment candidates. And we've got progressive working class activist, community-fighter, and pro-democracy congressional candidate William Lawrence, who's running against an establishment party candidate for Michigan's 7th Congressional District, currently being held by the weak MAGA Republican Tom Barrett.Pat Johnston explains how that race, and others like it, can help point the Democratic Party towards a real Democratic social and economic change for the working class. That's why the primaries are just as important as the general election this year. To hear the complete interview with William Lawrence,

Click here to donate $5 on Left of Lansing on Patreon!https://www.patreon.com/15494297/joinHere's Episode #174 of Michigan's Premier Progressive Podcast!00:00-19:17: Joke John James/Trump Tax Cuts/Bridget BrinkMAGA Republican Michigan Congressman John James not only refuses to campaign in his run for Governor, or show-up to do his job in Congress, but he couldn't even be bothered to co-sponsor a resolution celebrating UofM's basketball team's national championship? We're in the Trump Regime's second year, and the economy is cratering for working class Americans. And, Pat highlights how the Democratic Party establishment is putting its might behind another supposed "moderate" over a progressive, working class candidate in the primary race for Michigan's 7th Congressional District.19:18-46:59: William Lawrence InterviewPat Johnston talks with William Lawrence, progressive Democratic candidate for Michigan's 7th congressional district. The district is currently held by MAGA Republican Tom Barrett, who continues

Click here to donate $5 on Left of Lansing on Patreon!https://www.patreon.com/15494297/joinHere's the Left of Lansing "Monday Musing" for April 13, 2026.The Centers For Disease Control reports that birth rates in the United States continued to drop for another year. There's a few reasons why this is the case, including women wanting to focus on careers and have kids later on, and that less teenagers are getting pregnant (thankfully!). But one MAIN reason why adults are choosing to have fewer kids, or no kids at all, is because we live in a country that's rigged the game for the billionaire Epstein Class against the working class. LOL's Pat Johnston explains.Please, subscribe to the podcast, download each episode, and give it a good review if you can!leftoflansing@gmail.comLeft of Lansing is now on YouTube as well!Music provided by Wanderbeats. To hear the latest project, visit Space Leopard on various streaming sites, or visit: https://www.youtube.com/@SpaceLeopardClick here to donate $5 on Left of Lansing o

Click here to donate $5 on Left of Lansing on Patreon!https://www.patreon.com/15494297/joinHere's the Left of Lansing "Friday Short" for April 10, 2026.The Consumer Price Index rose by almost a full percentage point, making the annual inflation rise to 3.3%, the largest in a few years. Most of it is due to surging gas prices, thanks to The Trump Regime's and the Israeli right wing government's illegal war on Iran. Combine this with the harm and damage The Regime, and its MAGA Republican Congress, have perpetrated on the working class with the so-called "Big Beautiful Bill," and Trump's insane tariffs, it's no wonder working class voters are irate and demanding drastic changes to shift the scale away from The Epstein Class, and back towards the working class. Please, subscribe to the podcast, download each episode, and give it a good review if you can!leftoflansing@gmail.comLeft of Lansing is now on YouTube as well!Music provided by Wanderbeats. To hear the latest project, visit Space Leopard on various strea

Click here to donate $5 on Left of Lansing on Patreon!https://www.patreon.com/15494297/joinHere's Episode #173 of Michigan's Premier Progressive Podcast. 00:00-16:45: Trump-Israel Iran War Disaster/Where's John James?LOL's Pat Johnston shares his theory as to why The Trump Regime created its dangerous Iran War "deadline" on Tuesday night instead of Monday Night. Pat shares how Israel's right-wing government has quite the influence inside The Trump Regime. He wonders where is MAGA Michigan Congressman John James, who's also running for Michigan's open Governor's seat? Seems like most MAGA Michigan Republicans, John James is avoiding the voters.16:46-38:50: Kasey Helton on Dr. Abdul & Hasan Piker RallyLivingston County progressive fighter, and union fighter, Kasey Helton shares her viewpoints of Michigan Senate candidate Dr. Abdul El-Sayed's campaign rally with progressive podcaster Hasan Piker at the University of Michigan this week. Kasey describes the excitement at the rally, and why corporate-establish

Click here to donate $5 on Left of Lansing on Patreon!https://www.patreon.com/15494297/joinHere's the Left of Lansing "Monday Musing" for April 6, 2026.Dear Leader Trump's heartwarming "Easter Message," in which he promised bloodshed if Iran didn't open the "F-n Strait," reveals MAGA's true values, and how that family values B.S. was always just for show. But what are those true MAGA values?Pat Johnston explains.Please, subscribe to the podcast, download each episode, and give it a good review if you can!leftoflansing@gmail.comLeft of Lansing is now on YouTube as well!Music provided by Wanderbeats. To hear the latest project, visit Space Leopard on various streaming sites, or visit: https://www.youtube.com/@SpaceLeopardClick here to donate $5 on Left of Lansing on Patreon!https://www.patreon.com/15494297/join#podcast #politics #Progressives #Michigan #Democrats #MAGA #Republicans #Trump #Easter #CorporateGreed #CorporateCorruption #GovernmentCorruption #IranWar #EpsteinClass #WorkingClass #WealthInequality #

Click here to donate $5 on Left of Lansing on Patreon!https://www.patreon.com/15494297/joinHere's the Left of Lansing "Friday Short" for April 3, 2026!While establishment-corporate Democrats capitulated to MAGA Republicans in election-after-election, they can't be surprised why the nation kept creeping further and further to the right.By refusing to take bold stances for the working class, and for marginalized citizens, Democrats ceded ground and allowed Republicans to control The Overton Window.And rather than argue to working class voters what they stood for, establishment Democrats only argued why Trump and MAGA Republicans sucked. How'd that strategy work-out for everyone?Please, subscribe to the podcast, download each episode, and give it a good review if you can!leftoflansing@gmail.comLeft of Lansing is now on YouTube as well!Music provided by Wanderbeats. To hear the latest project, visit Space Leopard on various streaming sites, or visit: https://www.youtube.com/@SpaceLeopardClick here to donate $5 o

Click here to donate $5 on Left of Lansing on Patreon!https://www.patreon.com/15494297/joinHere's Episode #172 of Michigan's Premier Progressive Podcast!00:00-19:15: John James, Elissa Slotkin, & No Kings RecapPat Johnston opens this week talking about Trump's and the right-wing Israeli government's War on Iran, and how it's costing working class Americans while thousands of Michiganders are losing their health care and paying higher gas and energy prices. He covers how MAGA Michigan Republican Congressman John James, who's running for governor, has missed many votes while in Congress. He briefly covers why Progressive Senate candidate Dr. Abdul El-Sayed is brilliantly bringing progressive Hasan Piker aboard for a college campaign tour. And Pat recaps a couple of mid-Michigan "No Kings" protests.19:15-49:00: Kyle Blomquist For Congress InterviewProgressive Democratic candidate for Michigan's 1st Congressional District Kyle Blomquist talks with Pat about his campaign for the northern Michigan seat held by

Click here to donate $5 on Left of Lansing on Patreon!https://www.patreon.com/15494297/joinHere's the Left of Lansing "Monday Musing" for March 30, 2026.LOL's Pat Johnston reviews his stops at a couple of mid-Michigan "No Kings" rallies on March 28, 2026. Not only was attendance impressive, not to mention the numerous car-honking from supporters who drove-by the protests, but Pat noticed how protesters voiced their specific demands for change. Those demands ranged from abolishing ICE and investigating The Epstein Class, to ending Trump's and the right-wing Israeli government's War on Iran while fighting against the Trump Regime's corruption. Protesters argued for a new direction where the working class is finally represented and seen. Please, subscribe to the podcast, download each episode, and give it a good review if you can!leftoflansing@gmail.comLeft of Lansing is now on YouTube as well!Music provided by Wanderbeats. To hear the latest project, visit Space Leopard on various streaming sites, or visit: ht

Click here to donate $5 on Left of Lansing on Patreon!https://www.patreon.com/15494297/joinHere's the Left of Lansing "Friday Short" for March 27, 2026.It appears MAGA Michigan Congressman Tom Barrett is using the MAGA Grifting Game to help make both he and his wife some extra cash. Politico and Michigan Advance report how Barrett's campaign arm paid for services to a local law firm, and an international political software company in 2023-2024, just AFTER his wife started working at both places! I'm sure that was just by sheer coinicidence and dumb luck, right?Tom Barrett's scheme is part of the overall Michigan MAGA Grifting Game playbook that Pat describes in the "Friday Short."And please, donate and help progressive Democrat William Lawrence's campaign to unseat Tom Barrett this fall!Please, subscribe to the podcast, download each episode, and give it a good review if you can!leftoflansing@gmail.comLeft of Lansing is now on YouTube as well!Music provided by Wanderbeats. To hear the latest project, visit S

Click here to donate $5 on Left of Lansing on Patreon!https://www.patreon.com/15494297/joinHere's Episode #171 of Michigan's Premier Progressive Podcast!00:00-19:52The current state of the Democratic Primary for Michigan's open U.S. Senate seat will show the country where Democratic voters want to go in 2026. Pat Johnston talks about how progressive Dr. Abdul El-Sayed not only refused to accept corporate PAC money, but they also never took money from ICE contractors. The same can't be said for Ms. AIPAC, a.k.a. Congresswoman Haley Stevens. Also, the Trump Regime sends ICE into the nation's airports to perpetuate more chaos and fear on the working class. And working class Americans remain opposed to Trump's & Israel's War on Iran. 19:53-41:00: Leif Colt of Traverse IndivisibleInterview with Leif Colt, Communications Leader for Traverse Indivisible. Leif shares information about the "No Kings 3" march taking place in Traverse City at 1pm on March 28th. Leif explains what to expect at the march, and why it'

Click here to donate $5 on Left of Lansing on Patreon!https://www.patreon.com/15494297/joinHere's the Left of Lansing "Monday Musing for March 23, 2026.Last week, we talked about how the Trump Regime's anti-clean energy agenda will lead to more deadly storms that Michigan's experienced in recent history.This week, Pat Johnston explains how that anti-clean energy agenda is hurting working class Michiganders' economically. By gutting clean energy jobs and initiatives, the Trump Regime is gutting Michigan's economic security and future. Please, subscribe to the podcast, download each episode, and give it a good review if you can!leftoflansing@gmail.comLeft of Lansing is now on YouTube as well!Music provided by Wanderbeats. To hear the latest project, visit Space Leopard on various streaming sites, or visit: https://www.youtube.com/@SpaceLeopardClick here to donate $5 on Left of Lansing on Patreon!https://www.patreon.com/15494297/joinNOTES:"Michigan lost billions in climate-related investments in Trump’s first y

Click here to donate $5 on Left of Lansing on Patreon!https://www.patreon.com/15494297/joinHere's the Left of Lansing "Friday Short" for March 20, 2026.Thanks to excellent reporting by The Detroit News' Beth LeBlanc & Craig Mauger, MAGA Michigan House Speaker Matt Hall received a government transparency award from a group... that doesn't exist!!!It's part of an effort of Matt Hall's to block much-needed Freedom of Information Act Reform bills in Michigan, which would end FOIA request exemptions for the state's executive and legislative branches. But protecting The Epstein Class Swamp is, like Dear Leader Trump, Matt Hall's main priority in Michigan. He'll even emulate Trump by giving himself made-up participation awards to celebrate something he didn't do. Please, subscribe to the podcast, download each episode, and give it a good review if you can!leftoflansing@gmail.comLeft of Lansing is now on YouTube as well!Music provided by Wanderbeats. To hear the latest project, visit Space Leopard on various str

Click here to donate $5 on Left of Lansing on Patreon!https://www.patreon.com/15494297/joinHere's Episode #170of Michigan's Premier Progressive Podcast!00:00-20:54: Pat Ran Into Who? Noah Arbit Attacks Dr. AbdulPat Johnston shared a plane ride back to Detroit with whom? The Iran War is already hurting the working class while making The Epstein Class very pleased. Democrats must stand against this war. And it's time to criticize those Democratic pro-right-wing Israeli government defenders who spend their time calling progressive Democrats "antisemites," like Michigan Democratic state House Rep. Noah Arbit did to progressive U.S. Senate candidate Dr. Abdul El-Sayed last week.20:55-50:09: Kasey Helton InterviewWe needed to hear from our good friend, and progressive and union voice in Livingston County, Kasey Helton this week. Kasey and Pat talk about how MAGA is rallying around The Trump Regime's War on Iran, the need to take-on AIPAC within the Democratic Party in Michigan, the Michigan U.S. Senate Democratic

Click here to donate $5 on Left of Lansing on Patreon!https://www.patreon.com/15494297/joinHere's the Left of Lansing "Monday Musing" for March 16, 2026.Michigan Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer is demanding an investigation into whether or not the Trump Regime's budget cuts to the National Weather Service played a role in the lack of warning from the recent tornadoes which killed four people in West Michigan over a week ago. We do know the Trump Regime's cuts to the NWS, and other divestments in clean energy projects, will lead to further deadly and severe storms in the future.Not to mention, these cuts hurt Michigan's economic futures as well.Please, subscribe to the podcast, download each episode, and give it a good review if you can!leftoflansing@gmail.comLeft of Lansing is now on YouTube as well!Music provided by Wanderbeats. To hear the latest project, visit Space Leopard on various streaming sites, or visit: https://www.youtube.com/@SpaceLeopardClick here to donate $5 on Left of Lansing on Patreon

Click here to donate $5 on Left of Lansing on Patreon!https://www.patreon.com/15494297/joinHere's the Left of Lansing "Friday Short" for March 13, 2026.Pat Johnston uses a column by Nolan Finley of The Detroit News to highlight how Pro-Iran War and Pro-Extremist Israeli government types are using the recent synagogue attack in West Bloomfield, MI to try to shut-down dissenting voices. Those supporting the Israeli-U.S. War on Iran argue that those opposing Israel's right-wing genocidal government, and also the War on Iran, are responsible for antisemitism, including the antisemitic attack on that West Bloomfield synagogue by a U.S. citizen who was originally from Lebanon. But as Pat argues, criticizing the corrupt and genocidal right-wing Israeli government is not antisemitism.It's the right thing to do because it's standing-up for the American working class that's tired of funding overseas wars.Please, subscribe to the podcast, download each episode, and give it a good review if you can!leftoflansing@gmail.c

Click here to donate $5 on Left of Lansing on Patreon!https://www.patreon.com/15494297/joinHere's the Left of Lansing "Monday Musing" for March 9, 2026.The Trump Regime's Department of Justice is investigating three different Michigan public school districts over whether or not the districts "sexual orientation and gender ideology (SOGI) content" in their sexual education classes.Parents are allowed to opt-out in Michigan, but that's not enough for the Christian Nationalist within the Trump Regime. They want to erase marginalized people, and scaring public school districts with "investigations" is just one way to do it. Please, subscribe to the podcast, download each episode, and give it a good review if you can!leftoflansing@gmail.comLeft of Lansing is now on YouTube as well!https://www.patreon.com/cw/LeftofLansingMusic provided by Wanderbeats. To hear the latest project, visit Space Leopard on various streaming sites, or visit: https://www.youtube.com/@SpaceLeopardNOTES: "DOJ investigating 3 Michigan distr

Click here to donate $5 on Left of Lansing on Patreon!https://www.patreon.com/15494297/joinHere's the Left of Lansing "Friday Short" for March 6, 2026.MAGA Michigan Republican U.S. Senate Candidate "Florida" Mike Rogers says the Trump Regime has brought "The Golden Age" to Michigan.Not sure if working class Michiganders will buy it, but it'll be fun to watch him try to sell this lemon to the voters. Please, subscribe to the podcast, download each episode, and give it a good review if you can!leftoflansing@gmail.comLeft of Lansing is now on YouTube as well!https://www.patreon.com/cw/LeftofLansingMusic provided by Wanderbeats. To hear the latest project, visit Space Leopard on various streaming sites, or visit: https://www.youtube.com/@SpaceLeopardNOTES: "9 years through the revolving door: How the GOP's top Senate recruit in Michigan got rich after leaving Congress." By Brett Metzger of Business Insider "Moroun family backed Mike Rogers as he defends blocking Gordie Howe bridge." By Steve Neavling of The Detr