Left Of Lansing

Here's episode 74 of Michigan's premier progressive podcast! As we've seen in our state, elections have consequences, especially on the state and local state side! I talk about how within a year, Michigan Democrats passed some much-needed legislation to move the state forward in terms of women's reproductive rights, worker rights, union rights, setting-up a robust clean energy future, and protecting family farms. But despite those victories, Christian Nationalists within the Republican Party want to roll all of that back, and could possibly do that if we lose this November. I turn my focus on what's happening in the Upper Peninsula county of Delta because as we've seen happen in other counties across the state, the extreme right wing grabbed control of the Delta County Commission. But as we've seen in Ottawa County, activists in Delta County didn't sit back and allow their government to fall into extremism. Through hard work and networking, they got recall elections in place against three of those right-win

Here's this week's Left of Lansing "Friday Short."  Michigan Republican State Representative Josh Shriver was stripped of his committee assignments, and of his staff, after retweeting a racist tweet on the "Great Replacement Theory," which pervades the radical, right wing world.  Naturally, Shriver's got his online defenders, but also defenders within the Michigan Republican Party. But make no mistake, Republicans court and depend on voters to believe in this misinformation and propaganda. They want Michigan to become Putin's Russia.  Please, subscribe to the podcast, download each episode, and give it a good review if you can! leftoflansing@gmail.com leftoflansing.com –Pat

Here's Episode 73 of Michigan's Premier, Progressive Podcast! As we've covered on the show, Michigan Democrats passed a rather robust package of clean energy bills last year. Many of those laws will go into effect later this year, including the 100% clean energy standard by 2040, energy efficient programs, increases in the state's energy reduction program, and removing the power of local governments to block large clean energy projects and placing that power in the Michigan Public Service Commission. Many right-wing local governments, driven by misinformation and fear, have rejected plan-after-plan to allow wind turbines or solar farms in their areas. This not only hurts the state's abilities to march towards a cleaner and more efficient energy program of the future (not to mention blocking thousands of green energy jobs), but it hurts family farmers who would allow their lands to be used for these projects.  Montcalm County farmer, and Chair of Patriots for Montcalm, Dick Farnsworth joins me this week to t

Here's episode 72 of Michigan's Premier Progressive Podcast! In my opening segment this week, I talk about the appalling and Islamophobic Wall Street Journal column declaring Dearborn, MI as the "America's Jihad Capital." Islamophobia within the right wing world never left, and it's putting lives in danger. I then cover some of the many new laws scheduled to go into effect in the state on February 13th, including the repeal of the anti-union "Right To Work (For Less) law, expanded voting rights, expanded LGBTQ+ rights, and an expansion of the state's Earned Income Tax Credit. Again, these laws passed thanks to progressive Democrats in the state legislature. Then, Dr. April Zeoli joins me to discuss some of the state's new gun safety laws that will also go into effect on Feb. 13th. Dr. Zeoli is the Policy Core Director for the Institute for Firearm Injury Prevention at The University of Michigan. She has spent years researching policies designed to decrease gun violence on the state-level, particularly in

Here's this week's LoL Friday Short. It's being reported this week that Michigan Democratic Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib has raised nearly $4-million in campaign contributions in the last three months. That's despite House Republicans censuring her last Fall for her stance against Israel's bombardment of the Gaza Strip. And that's despite being hung-out to dry by some in her own party. But why does Tlaib garner so much support and vitriol? Because she's a threat to the donor base, and stands-up for the voiceless.  Please, subscribe to the podcast, download each episode, and give it a good review if you can! leftoflansing@gmail.com leftoflansing.com –Pat

Here's episode 71 of Michigan's premier progressive podcast! Please vote on this week's LoL Twitter Poll: What is the biggest winning issue for Michigan Democrats heading into the November election? If you have others, leave them in replies Susan Demas, Editor-in-Chief of Michigan Advance, joins Pat this week. Michigan Advance is a progressive, nonprofit news site dedicated to covering policy and politics across the state. Susan is a veteran of the Michigan political news scene, and we discuss how traditional, corporate-driven media are failing us, but how publications, like Michigan Advance, are filling the gaps where corporate media (purposely) falls short. We also discuss the disaster that is the Michigan Republican Party, how Michigan Democrats can better message their major policy victories, and her take on whether or not President Biden's poll numbers will improve by November in Michigan. My opening segment covers some ideas I have on how Michigan Democrats can highlight their victories, which will

Thanks for listening to this week's LoL Friday Short! The Justice Department released a damning report citing "cascading failures" in the way authorities handled the Uvaldi school shooting massacre in 2022. Like other school shootings, this was another example where "good guys with guns," didn't stop the bad guy with a gun.  The common denominator with many mass shootings is military-style weapons, like the AR-15.  Republicans treasure the gun more than they treasure lives.  Michigan Democrats have enacted some smart gun safety measures after school shootings in this state, and Governor Gretchen Whitmer is signaling how she'd like to go after assault weapons.  Please, subscribe to the podcast, download each episode, and give it a good review if you can! leftoflansing@gmail.com leftoflansing.com –Pat

Here's episode 70 of Michigan's premier progressive podcast! Please vote on this week's poll question: Polls show President Biden's losing to Donald Trump in Michigan. How do you feel about these numbers less than 10 months from Election Day? On this week's episode, I cover how Democrats across the country have been given a beautiful chance to show why they're on the side of workers, and how and why Republicans are always on the side of the rich and the connected. JP Morgan CEO Jamie Dimon this week complained how he believes Democrats are just mean to Trump's Christian Nationalist MAGA movement. Dimon then said Trump was right on so many different issues. This again proves that the rich, elite, corporate class is o.k. with a little fascism, just as long as they receive tax cuts and other benefits from the government. And they know they'll get that with Trump. My "Last Call" follows up on the worries I voiced last week over numerous polls showing President Biden losing to Donald Trump in the state of Michi

Here's this week's LoL Friday Short. Michigan Democrats are hoping to make the new and popular free public school breakfast and lunch program a permanent fixture in the education budget. But that's making the right wing furious, not because of their daily abject cruelty, but because they know the program is a big hit with voting age parents. Also, they know a successful programs such as this hurts their voucher scams.  Michigan Democrats scored a big win on this issue, and it's one they must hammer home from now to the November election! Please, subscribe to the podcast, download each episode, and give it a good review if you can! leftoflansing@gmail.com leftoflansing.com –Pat

Here's Episode 69 of Michigan's premier progressive podcast! I'm thrilled to have Democratic State Representative, and Speaker Pro Tempore, Laurie Pohutsky back on the show this week! We cover a range of topics including abortion rights, clean energy and climate change, if the Michigan Democratic Party's messaging machine is improving, the establishment and progressive factions of the party, and how she's changed since her upset victory as a progressive outsider back in 2018.  I open-up the show by explaining how Donald Trump is not only boasting how his hand-picked Supreme Court reversed abortion rights for women across the country, but how his Christian Nationalist right-wing base wants to enact a federal ban. I also discuss the ridiculous infighting inside the ridiculous Michigan GOP, but I also share another disturbing poll showing Trump beating President Biden in the state.  The "Last Call" covers how despite this occasional struggle between moderate/establishment Democrats and the party's progressive

My first Left of Lansing "Friday Short" for 2024 deals with GOP Presidential candidate Nikki Haley's failure to flat-out say the American Civil War was fought over the right for Southern states to continue the practice of slavery.  But there's a reason why Haley couldn't give a straight answer to that simple question. She, like all of her Republican cohorts, are afraid of angering and losing their white Christian Nationalist base.  Please, subscribe to the podcast, download each episode, and give it a good review if you can! leftoflansing@gmail.com leftoflansing.com –Pat

Happy New Year, and here's Episode 68 of Michigan's premier progressive podcast! This week, I have lots to say after taking some time-off for the holidays.  We have to cover the hypocrisy of Michigan's right wing, in particular the Christian Nationalist Moms For Liberty chapters throughout the state. As you'll hear, while they've been busy banning books, intimidating teachers, and trying to dismantle the public school system, they aren't exactly practicing what they're preaching.  We also cover how Michigan Republican Congressman Tim Walberg visited Uganda to  support that country's hateful Anti-Homosexual Act, which also includes the death penalty. We illustrate how Moms For Liberty, or many Republicans such as Walberg, or many rich, right wing donors are working hard to erase the histories of marginalized Americans from American History because they believe they are the true Americans. That's why the right wing tried to steal the 2020 election.  That's what this year's election boils down to: a fight t

Here's the final LoL "Friday Short" for 2023! To close-out the year, I talk about a story in Michigan Advance which details how business lobbyists formed a coalition in the hopes of stifling bills proposed by Michigan Democrats. These business lobbyists fail to understand that Michigan Democrats are simply passing pro-worker and pro-growth policies that are popular with Michiganders. Have a Happy Holiday Season! Please, subscribe to the podcast, download each episode, and give it a good review if you can! leftoflansing@gmail.com leftoflansing.com –Pat

Here's the 67th, and the final episode for 2023, on Michigan's premier progressive podcast! Livingston County progressive activist Kasey Helton returns to the podcast this week as we discuss how "dirt road" Democrats are trying to move the political needle towards the progressive side in rural Michigan. And we've seen some of that hard work pay-off with Democrats winning some key races in Livingston County, which has been a reliable red county for Republicans. We also discuss how out of touch Livingston County Republicans are with the people on issues like abortion, and how Democrats are trying to save family farms with the recently passed Clean Energy and Climate Action bill package. Plus, Kasey talks with me about a podcast she hosts with Jace Arledge and Ella Nikitin, called "The Stir Podcast."  Listen and subscribe on their website: https://thestirpod.transistor.fm/ My opening segment deals with Michigan Democrats passing bills repealing Republican laws forcing women to purchase "rape insurance." It's

Listen to this week's Left of Lansing "Friday Short." Right after its inexplicable decision to build a tunnel around the Line 5 oil pipeline in the Straits of Mackinac, the Michigan Public Service Commission granted DTE Energy's rate hike request totalling over $360 million.  Despite DTE being part of the reason why Michigan has the most expensive energy in the Midwest, and is also one of the least reliable states to provide energy to its citizens, DTE got its rate hike. It's business as usual where corporations' needs always come before the needs of the people. Please, subscribe to the podcast, download each episode, and give it a good review if you can! leftoflansing@gmail.com leftoflansing.com –Pat

It's Episode 66 of Michigan's Premier Progressive Podcast! This week, I can't hold back my disdain for the Michigan Public Service Commission's decision to green-light an expensive, and short-sighted, tunnel project for the stretch of the 70-year old Line 5 oil pipeline in the Straits of Mackinac. Despite studies showing why the pipeline must stop operating, and that shutting-down the pipeline wouldn't lead to drastic energy increases, the MPSC chose a corporation's needs over the needs of Michigan's natural resources and the people relying on it.  Then, progressive Democratic State Rep. Emily Dievendorf from the 77th House District, joins me to discuss a range of issues, including how that disastrous decision will hurt not just Michigan's environment, but for those people whose livelihoods depend on our Great Lakes. Rep. Dievendorf also talks about how progressives can push the Overton Window away from the extreme right wing, which is where it's been here in Michigan for the last half century. We also cove

Listen to this week's Left of Lansing "Friday Short," where I highlight a major UAW organizational push to attract thousands of non-union workers with other automakers.  Also, notice again how Republicans across the board are AWOL when it comes to standing up for workers' rights. Please, subscribe to the podcast, download each episode, and give it a good review if you can! –Pat leftoflansing@gmail.com leftoflansing.com

Here's episode 65 of Michigan's premier progressive podcast! Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed some long overdue, albeit imperfect, clean energy legislation into law this week. I've covered the path The Clean Energy and Jobs Act had to take in Lansing throughout the year on the podcast. And while I believe Democrats missed an opportunity to pass some meaningful, and stronger, progressive clean energy bills that included game-changing environmental justice for those dealing with polluted low-income areas, this act is at least a step in the right direction. There's no way Republicans would ever pass these bills! I also discuss how the clean energy bills should also coincide with a new transportation and infrastructure future which includes bold investments in mass transit throughout the state. Finally, the "Last Call" deals with a Washington Post editorial that begs Gen Z women to marry their Gen Z male counterparts, even though Gen Z males are trending more and more right wing. Why would Gen Z tra

Here's episode 64 of Michigan's premier progressive podcast! It's great to have author and Pro-Publica reporter Anna Clark back on Left of Lansing this week. Anna's written an insightful article on Michigan's Emergency Manager Law, which allows state government to erase democracy by completely taking-over financially-strapped cities. Anna highlights how despite Michiganders voting to eliminate the law a decade ago, Republicans not only reinstated the law, but ensured voters could never have a say again. Emergency managers were used in Detroit's bankruptcy, and of course, in Flint which led to that city's man-made water crisis.  Please, read Anna's Pro-Publica article, and read her book on the Flint Water Crisis, titled "The Poisoned City: Flint's Water and the American Urban Tragedy." To learn more about Anna, and to get a copy of her fantastic book, please visit her site, annaclark.net. My opening monologue celebrates Governor Gretchen Whitmer signing bills that bans convicted domestic abusers from owning

Listen to my "Monday Musing," in which I agree with a Detroit Free Press column by Michael Griffie, who serves as Detroit Metro Leader for AECOM--an American multinational consulting firm.  Mr. Griffie is pressing the need for a massive reinvestment in Michigan's lacking mass transit system, particularly in the entire Metro Detroit region.  If we're going to stop Michigan's brain and population drain, spending more on mass transit is a necessary step considering how Millennials and Gen Z Americans are searching for places to live featuring reliable and affordable mass transit.  It's the common sense approach. It's the Progressive approach. --Pat Please, subscribe to the podcast, download each episode, and give it a good review if you can! leftoflansing@gmail.com leftoflansing.com "Gov. Whitmer, it’s time to think big on public transportation in Michigan | Opinion." By Michael Griffie in The Detroit Free Press