Left Of Lansing

Here's the Left of Lansing Friday Short for September 20, 2024. The International Brotherhood of Teamsters is in danger of damaging itself into perpetuity because of its fear of the possibility of either another Dear Leader Trump administration, or that the next President of the United States will be a black woman. Or both. The Teamsters leadership is hurting its cause. --Pat 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 Teamsters council bucks national union, endorses Kamala Harris." By The Detroit Free Press Michigan Teamsters Joint Council 43 Facebook endorsement of Kamala Harris. "Trump claims to be pro-worker. His record says he’s anti-union." By Chris Isidore of CNN "UAW files federal labor charges against Donald Trump and Elon Musk after threatening workers on X interview." By David Goldman of CNN "Teamsters leader says Harris, Trump wouldn

Here's Episode 103 of Michigan's Premier Progressive Podcast! 00:00-14:28: Huckabee-Sanders Weirdness/Abortion & IVF/Yard Signs We begin this week criticizing Arkansas MAGA Republican Governor Sarah Huckabee-Sanders's attack on Vice President Kamala Harris for not having biological kids while attending a Dear Leader Trump rally in Flint, MI. Pat then exposes the hypocrisy of the White Christian Nationalist MAGA "pro-life" stance, and how MAGA continues to lose the women's vote. Pat also follows-up on the lack of Elissa Slotkin for Michigan's U.S. Senate Seat yard signs in rural parts of the state.  14:29-38:02: Dr. Josh Cowen Interview Pat talks with Dr. Josh Cowen on his new book titled, "The Privateers: How Billionaires Created a Culture War and Sold School Vouchers." Dr. Cowen is a professor of Education Policy at Michigan State University, and has written extensively on the failed school voucher movement. In his book, Dr. Cowen gives an insightful breakdown of the group of right-wing billionaires

Here's the Left of Lansing Monday Musing for September 16, 2024! There's a belief that the weird, warped, right-wing MAGA will disappear after Dear Leader is defeated and gone.  Nothing could be further from the truth. Just look at the absurd lengths many in MAGA World will go to protect Dear Leader Trump now. That kind of absurdity will not end After Trump for them. Why? Because MAGA has always been what the Republican Party is all about, and will always be about.  Make no mistake! 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 the Left of Lansing "Friday Short" for September 13, 2024! There's an important U.S. Senate race in Lansing between Democratic Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin and MAGA Republican "Florida" Mike Rogers.  The winner of the race takes the seat of retiring Democratic Senator Debbie Stabenow. There's a slew of reasons as to why Florida Mike is the wrong choice for Michigan, and the rest of the country. But a recent expose by Bridge Magazine detailing how Rogers played a role in the nation's opioid crisis, while raking-in tons of campaign cash from the pharmaceutical industry, provides further illustration on the kind of person Rogers truly is. 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 102 of Michigan's Premier Progressive Podcast! 00:00-23:27: Harris-Trump Debate Reaction In the first segment, Pat begs the Elissa Slotkin campaign to help push her candidacy for the U.S. Senate by sending-out yard signs to rural Democrats across the state. It's a crucial race, and we progressives want to help her defeat "Florida" Mike Rogers. Then, Pat gives his reactions to the Presidential Debate in which Kamala Harris made minced meat of Donald Trump. No wonder he doesn't want any more debates unless some right-wing media hacks moderate it. 23:28-32:01: Last Call: Michigan's Clean Energy Economic Boon Next, Pat highlights an article by Michigan Advance's Kyle Davidson, which details how Michigan's clean energy policies are providing an economic boon! Thanks to clean energy bills passed by state Democrats, and by congressional Democrats, Michiganders will save on their energy bills in the future. These initiatives are also providing thousands of clean energy jobs while making Michigander

Here's the Left of Lansing Monday Musing for September 9th, 2024! The much-anticipated Kamala Harris debate against Dear Leader Trump happens this week.  But the corporate media are busy helping set the terms of who'll win, and who'll lose this debate. And as usual, the media are placing heavy expectations for Harris to meet while giving Trump virtually a free-ride.  Let me know what you think! 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: "7 things to watch at the Kamala Harris-Donald Trump debate." By Phillip M. Bailey of USA Today Wajahat Ali tweet Pat highlighted.

Here's the Left of Lansing "Friday Short" for September 6, 2024. This week, New York Democratic Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez took Green Party presidential candidate Jill Stein to the woodshed for Stein's predatory political maneuvering every four years.  AOC rightly notes how Stein is only out there for her own brand and exposure, while never doing anything to help her party grow on a local and state level. It's almost as if Jill Stein's running to hurt the very people she claims to be fighting for.  Actually, she is hurting the very people she claims to represent.  Thank you, AOC! 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 Jill Stein Photo: "Jill Stein" by Gage Skidmore is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.

Here's Episode 101 of Michigan's premier progressive podcast! 00:00-14:15: Another School Shooting/More Media Election Failures Pat Johnston begins this week's show by talking about another school shooting in the United States in America. This time, four students were killed in a Georgia high school. Pat illustrates how Michigan Democrats are at least trying to curb the gun violence epidemic in the state, and how MAGA Republicans are beholden to the gun manufacturing lobby. And then, Pat highlights another week of failed media coverage by the corporate media.  14:16-34:57: Michigan Advance's Jon King Interview Jon King from Michigan Advance is our guest this week, as he's provided some outstanding coverage surrounding the controversy circling around Livingston County Sheriff, and MAGA Republican, Mike Murphy after he invited Dear Leader Trump to visit Howell a few weeks ago. And now, Sheriff Murphy learns how backing Trump gets you into nothing but trouble! And Jon talks about another story he published d

Here's the Left of Lansing "Friday Short" for August 30, 2024. Vice President Kamala Harris's campaign has done a stellar job at keeping Dear Leader Trump and the Republicans on the defensive since becoming the Democratic presidential nominee.  One area where Harris and her campaign could improve, and really put Dear Leader on the defensive, is on the issue of immigration. And Harris could do it without adopting all of the MAGA scary talking points and disgusting tropes about undocumented immigrants.  I explain how. 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: "Senators unveil bipartisan bill to impose tougher asylum and border laws." By Sahil Kapur, Julie Tsurkin, and Julia Ainsley of NBC News "Trump delivers marathon speech in Potterville railing against Harris: ‘She just doesn’t care.’" By Anna Liz Nichols of Michigan Advance "Study says undocumented immi

Here's Episode 100 of Michigan's premier progressive podcast! And what a show we have in-store for your on this monumental episode! 00:00-9:35: Michigan Reading Scores/Corp. Price-Gouging The episode opens-up by sharing the news that third-grade reading efficiency is at a 10-year low in Michigan. That's not good news at all, and of course, MAGA Michigan Republicans jumped all over this report to declare Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Democratic legislative majority are failing our kids. However, Michigan Democrats only gained the state's government trifecta last year, and it's difficult to completely reverse 40-years of Republican failure in the state. Pat also covers a huge news story detailing how Kroger used "greedflation" to justify why they jacked-up prices since the pandemic.  9:36-36:44: Clint St. Mosley Interview Democratic candidate Clint St. Mosley talks with us about his run to take-on MAGA Michigan Congresswoman Lisa McClain in the state's 9th congressional district. Mr. St. Mosley shares his life

Here's this week's Left of Lansing "Monday Musing" for August 26, 2024. "Florida" Mike Rogers is hoping to become Michigan's next U.S. Senator after leaving our state for years to rake-in loads of cash in defense contractor lobbying. Meanwhile, Democratic candidate, Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin who worked in military intelligence and then joined Congress to help improve the lives of Michiganders and the rest of the country.  Slotkin said at last week's Democratic Party Convention that America leads, and she's proving it by fighting for people.  However, like his Dear Leader Trump, "Florida" Mike has made a career of using government to help himself while making it harder for government to help the rest of us.  Let's help Elissa Slotkin defeat "Florida" Mike Rogers this November by donating to her campaign! Not only that, but "Florida" Mike's got some unseemly Michiganders helping his campaign, including the vile and ignorant Meshawn Maddock. Let's help Sarah-May Seward defeat Maddock's husband, Matt Ma

Here's the Left of Lansing "Friday Short" for August 23, 2024. Vice President Kamala Harris gave her acceptance speech as the Democratic Party's nominee for President last night at her party's convention in Chicago, Illinois. On the whole, Harris delivered and memorable and effective speech. Most importantly, Harris has Trump and MAGA on the run because her campaign is playing Offense, something many national Democrats fail to do.  But she's also reclaimed patriotism for the Democratic Party while also reassuring voters that America's best days are ahead. I explain how. 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 99 of Michigan's premier progressive podcast! 00:00-14:24: Trump Visits Howell  Pat opens the show talking about the first couple of days of the Democratic Party Convention in Chicago. He also shows how beloved Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer is within the party. Then, he covers Dear Leader Trump's sham of a "non-political event" this week in Howell, MI. Why did Trump visit the very town in which white supremacists marched through the downtown area just a month ago?  14:25-42:50: Christiana Reynolds Interview Christiana Reynolds joins the show to discuss her run for House District 108. Reynolds is the Democratic candidate for the seat, which is currently being held by MAGA Michigan Republican Dave Prestin. She's been involved in U.P. politics for quite some time, including helping co-found Delta County Citizens for Ethical Leadership which led to the successful recall of three MAGA commissioners. Now, she's trying bring a sense of normalcy back to the 108th by unseating Prestin, and intr

Here's the Left of Lansing "Monday Short" for August 19, 2024. Vice President Kamala Harris introduced a rather solid populist, progressive, common sense, and popular economic agenda last week. Tax breaks to build three-million homes, $25k to help first-time homeowners with a down payment, $6k if a low-income and middle class family has a baby, an a $36-hundred child tax credit extension.  Harris's populist tone has put the MAGA Trump/Vance on the defensive as they defend corporate price gouging, and declare their opposition to her plans. It's a smart, bold, but wise strategy.  Democrats are getting back to their working class roots. 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 the Friday Short for August 16, 2024. Left of Lansing is tired of hearing "old" Republicans complain about MAGA since their actions of the last 50 years led to the MAGA takeover of their political party. However, it's not because they despise the MAGA's policies since there's no daylight between either faction's policies. They despise how upfront and open MAGA is about their policies against working and marginalized Americans, and also their dreams for Christian Nationalist Authoritarianism.  Look at Michigan, where an extreme MAGA faction on the Ottawa County Commission lost its majority, but don't hold your breath for these "old" Republicans to change much in terms of policy. And former Republican Governor Rick Snyder, who once touted himself as a business "nerd" kind of a Republican, is now raising money to put MAGA Republicans in power in the State House.  The transformation is complete. Old Republicans are MAGA.  Same as it ever was. Please, subscribe to the podcast, download each episode,

Here's Episode 98 of Michigan's premier progressive podcast with Pat Johnston! 00:00-7:38: Weird MAGAS JV Vance/Matt Hall Pat talks about J.D. Vance (or J.V., as Pat calls him) visited Michigan again to unload another uninspired, dark, and untrue version of America that he and Dear Leader Trump envision. Pat then highlights weird MAGA Michigan Republican State Rep. Matt Hall, and how he's spent his time opposing ways to make Michigan a more prosperous, safe, and free state. He's even vowing to gut the new minimum wage increase and Earned Paid Sick Leave laws scheduled to go into effect this coming winter. Once again, like Dear Leader Trump and J.V. Vance, Matt Hall proves Republicans are about Punishing the working class in Michigan. 7:39--18:19: Interview w/ Danielle Atkinson of Mothering Justice Co-Founder of Mothering Justice, Danielle Atkinson, talks about the enormous Michigan State Supreme Court decision declaring how the Republican majority in Lansing back in 2018 acted unconstitutionally when they

Here's the Left of Lansing "Monday Musing" for August 12, 2024. Gaza Protesters have been appearing at Harris/Walz rallies, just as they protested President Biden many times during his term.  While Left of Lansing agrees with the protesters, and has called for a ceasefire while also voting "uncommitted" in Michigan's presidential primary, LOL also says it's time for Gaza protesters to hold MAGA's feet to the fire in the exact same way as they're doing with Harris and the 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 NOTES: "Harris and Walz hold Las Vegas rally and match Trump pledge of no tax on tips." By Nina Lakhani of The Guardian "Harris and Walz meet with ‘uncommitted’ leaders, union members during Detroit campaign stop." By Russ McNamara of Detroit Public Radio "In Detroit, Harris and Walz talk about the Midwest, the middle class and voters in the mi

Here's episode 97 of Michigan's premier progressive podcast! 00:00-14:36: Harris Picks Tim Walz/MI Primary Results Pat discusses why VP Kamala Harris made a brilliant pick to make Minnesota Governor Tim Walz her running mate atop the Democratic presidential ticket. Populism is taking over the country. Rather than shunning that move, Harris embraced it by choosing the common sense progressive Governor. It helps paint a stark contrast both in style and policy between them and the rich and elite Dear Leader Trump-J.D. Vance MAGA ticket. And Pat covers some of the Michigan primary results. 14:37-38:38: Distill Social's Gina Keller Pat talks with Gina Keller, co-founder and Digital Director of the powerful progressive outfit known as Distill Social. Gina's also the co-host of the Point of Disorder podcast, which covers Michigan and national politics. Pat & Gina talk about what Distill Social's been up to, the podcast, the idiocy of trying to ban TikTok, the new energy infusion from the Harris-Walz ticket,

Here's the Left of Lansing Monday Musing for August 5, 2024. CNBC is reporting how Tesla and "X" owner Elon Musk's Pro-Trump Super Pac, called America PAC, is deceiving potential voters by claiming to help them to register to vote, only to keep their personal information while never helping them register. This not only doesn't help register voters, but it helps Musk and his right-wing authoritarian allies' ultimate goal and hunger for authoritarian power.  With the help from fellow billionaire vulture capitalists, like Peter Thiel," Musk is using his Super Pac and social media company to drive an all-out, pro-Trump-Vance message while trashing VP Kamala Harris and the Democrats.  The marriage between Big Tech & MAGA is a dangerous one, and it's one everyone must understand in this election.  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 officials

Here's the Left of Lansing Friday Short for August 2, 2024. It's another week where MAGA Republicans' fake populism stance stood exposed once again. Michigan MAGA Republicans are outraged over a State Supreme Court ruling that Republicans acted unconstitutionally in blocking and watering-down minimum wage increase and earned paid sick leave ballot proposals in 2018.  This means hundreds of thousands of Michigan workers will now earn more of a living wage, and earn time to care for themselves or sick loved ones.  This also means Michigan MAGA Republicans are fired-up, not for the workers, but in trying to find ways to stop what the people wanted in the first place! Combine that news with the news of U.S. Senate MAGA Republicans blocking the expansion of the Child Tax Credit, and you've got more examples of how MAGA Republicans don't care about the economic well-being of hard-working Americans.  Please, subscribe to the podcast, download each episode, and give it a good review if you can! leftoflansing@g