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Here's Episode #181 of Michigan's Premier Progressive Podcast!

00:00-9:57: Mike Rogers' Beta Campaign

Pat Johnston opens this week's show pointing-out how feeble MAGA Michigan Republican Senate candidate, "Florida" Mike Rogers', really is as his campaign used Artificial Intelligence to give him a muscular body. These MAGA Republicans claim they're "manly men," but they're really just insecure little Beta men. Pat talks about how whenever he shares social media posts about Michigan progressive Democratic Senate candidate, Dr. Abdul El-Sayed, he gets bombarded by a rush of racist and Islamophobic comments by MAGA voters. But they're following MAGA Republicans in Congress, who have no issue spewing their hatred and racism against Arab-Americans. And a Michigan Republican voted with Democrats to end the Trump Regime's, and Israel's, War on Iran.

9:58-31:00: Line 5 Jeffrey Insko Interview

Dr. Jeffrey Insko of The Current returns to the show as he shares some of the latest news surrounding the fight to close the Line 5 oil pipeline under the Straits of Mackinac. They also discuss how Line 5 has negatively impacted Michigan's environment and public health. And they cover how the Trump Regime is working with the Canadian owner of Line 5 to keep it open for years to come. 

31:03-46:01: Whitmer & Data Centers

In this week's "Last Call," Pat gives his take on Michigan Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer's decision to heartily embrace hyper-scale data centers in Michigan. Gov. Whitmer declares the huge data center in Saline Twp. will be a long-term victory for Michigan. However, many working class Michiganders, as well as many Lansing Democrats, believe lining-up with the billionaire tech bro authoritarians will hurt Michigan in a number of ways. 

46:01-48:24: Ending

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NOTES:
Visit Oil & Water Don't Mix

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Here's the Left of Lansing "Monday Musing" for June 1, 2026.

Pat Johnston explains why Democratic Party insiders are doing their best to block progressive-populists, like Michigan's Democratic Senate Primary frontrunner Dr. Abdul El-Sayed, and others across the country, from winning. 

These corporate-Democratic elites would rather fight to keep their cushy jobs in Washington D.C. and Michigan than really fight to represent the working class. 

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NOTES:

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Here's the Left of Lansing "Friday Short" for May 29, 2026.

The Detroit Regional Chamber's Mackinac Policy Conference is over, and this year proved to be another example of why this corporate-friendly event is useless to working class Michiganders.

Pat Johnston explains how it's main goal is to ensure enough MAGA Republicans and Democrats work in "bipartisan" fashion to ensure corporate interests are highlighted.

That's otherwise known as business as usual in Lansing. 

It's time to end this conference on Mackinac Island, and the Mop-Up Michigan campaign to block utilities from donating to politicians might be a major first step in making such an event useless.

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Notes: 

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Here's Episode #180 of Michigan's Premier Progressive Podcast!

00:00-14:47: AIPAC & Haley Stevens

Pat Johnston shares even more stories revealing how AIPAC is using loopholes to funnel campaign bribes, or "donations," towards the corporate-establishment Democratic Party's pick for Michigan's open U.S. Senate seat: Haley Stevens. Pat also talks about how, when the working class is suffering in The Trump Economy and when this nation's national debt keeps rising, the United States keeps shoveling more money and arms to Israel's right-wing government. That might be a good question for Haley Stevens to answer.

14:48-26:27: Mackinac Conference Sham; Mop-Up MI

While corporations wine and dine Michigan's elite political class, working class Michiganders turned-in over 500k signatures to put the "Mop-Up Michigan" ballot initiative on the ballot. Mop-Up Michigan would end utilities, like DTE and Consumers Energy, from making campaign donations. Unlike the useless corporate Mackinac Policy Conference, working class Michiganders are taking power in their own hands by hoping to finally end DTE's and other corporations receiving preferential attention in Lansing. 

26:28-34:38: Trump Hurts MI Tourism

In the "Last Call, " Pat covers how the Trump Regime is hurting international tourism in the U.S., and especially for Michigan, which shares a border with Canada.

34:39-36:47: Ending

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Notes: 

Photo of Grand Hotel courtesy: "Grand Hotel 2008" by Drdpw is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

#podcast #politics #progressive #Democrats #Michigan #MAGA #Republicans #HaleyStevens #AbdulElSayed #MackinacPolicy Conference #MopUpMichigan #CorporateGreed #CorporateCorruption #GovernmentCorruption #MichiganSenateRace #Israel #AIPAC #War #IranWar #marginalizedAmericans #WorkingClass #CorporateDonations #DataCenters #tourism #Election2026 #Authoritarianism #Fascism #Democracy #LeftofLansing

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Here's the Left of Lansing "Monday Musing" for May 25, 2026.

Some longtime Michigan Democratic Party insiders are suddenly calling for an end to party nominating conventions. 

They'd rather see all statewide office races be primary elections rather than being nominated at these conventions.

It's interesting how many establishment and corporate forces inside the Michigan Democratic Party are calling for this switch in the nominating process after the shallacking their candidates received at last month's convention.

Pat Johnston explains how it's always about gaming the system for the establishment-corporate types inside The Party. 

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Here's the Left of Lansing "Friday Short" for May 22, 2026.

Former Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan ended his "independent" run to become Michigan's next Governor this week. 

Duggan cited poor polling numbers, the struggle to raise money against the Democratic and MAGA Republican Parties, and strong momentum for the Democrats this year as to why his campaign couldn't catch fire. 

But Pat Johnston explains the real reason Mike Duggan's campaign fell flat.

It might've had something to do with how he refused to show how he'd stick-up for working class Michiganders while ensuring business as usual in Lansing's toxic corporate culture. 

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Notes:

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Here's Episode #179 of Michigan's Premier Progressive Podcast!

00:00-16:51: Campbell Plant/AIPAC & Haley Stevens

Pat Johnston immediately wonders how MAGA Michigan Republicans believe they will win in the midterms as working class Michiganders are heavily disapproving of Dear Leader Trump and the Trump Regime. And, Pat talks about how Democratic Party establishment types keep backing Congresswoman Haley Stevens despite her hearty embrace of corporate donations and AIPAC donations.

16:52-47:40: Joe Spaulding Interview

Ottawa County progressive activist Joe Spaulding returns to the show. They talk about how Michigan isn't part of this gerrymandering battle thanks to the anti-gerrymandering ballot proposal that passed in 2018. Pat and Joe also share their disagreements and concerns regarding the Michigan Democratic Senate Primary Race. Pat's already announced his support for progressive-populist Dr. Abdul El-Sayed, but Joe shares his worries and reservations if El-Sayed wins the primary. 

47:41-55:30: Last Call-Spaulding Interview Reax

In the "Last Call," Pat shares his reaction to his interview with Joe Spaulding.

55:31-57:53: Ending

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Notes:

#podcast #politics #Election #Election2026 #Michigan #Progressive #Democrats #MAGA #Republicans #Trump #Economy #WorkingClass #FossilFuels #Coal #Energy #Affordability #ClimateChange #CleanEnergy #GasPrices #AbdulElSayed #HaleyStevens #MalloryMcMorrow #MikeRogers #CorporateGreed #CorporateCorruption #GovernmentCorruption #DataCenters #ArtificialIntelligence #SCOTUS #ExpandThe Court #AIPAC #Gaza #Palestinians #Israel #IranWar #CorporateDonors #Populism #Authoritarianism #Fascism #Democracy #LeftofLansing

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Here's the Left of Lansing "Monday Musing" for May 18, 2026.

The "electability" word is being used during the heated Michigan's Democratic U.S. Senate primary race. 

It's a word being used by corporate-establishment Democratic Party officials, who also happen to support AIPAC's choice, Congresswoman Haley Stevens. Establishment types are freaking-out that progressive-populist candidate, Dr. Abdul El-Sayed, is leading in the polls over Stevens and state Senator Mallory McMorrow. 

Those backing Stevens say she can win in Michigan, and she's the only one who can defeat the presumptive MAGA Republican nominee, "Florida" Mike Rogers, who lost against Elissa Slotkin in their 2024 Senate showdown. 

Pat Johnston explains why he doesn't fear "Florida" Mike, and neither should you this coming November... as long as Democrats pick the right person.

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Here's the Left of Lansing "Friday Short" for May 15, 2026.

Planned Parenthood of Michigan is asking Michigan Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer to use her executive powers by directing much-needed $5 million to fill a funding gap caused by the Trump Regime.

But rather than "fight like Hell," and push-back against the White Christian MAGA Nationalist extremists, Whitmer told Planned Parenthood of Michigan that she can't do anything. 

So much for "That Woman From Michigan."

Pat Johnston examines Whitmer's transformation from a Trump Regime Resister to someone who seems interested in not being governor anymore. 

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Here's Episode #178 of Michigan's Premier Progressive Podcast!

00:00-14:59: Iran War, Ballrooms, and Gas Prices

Pat Johnston opens this week's show highlighting how Dear Leader Trump's price tag for his precious White House ballroom has doubled, and taxpayers will fund it! Meanwhile, thanks to The Trump Regime's and Israel's illegal Iran War, gas prices keep hovering around $5, and fertilizer costs are decimating Michigan farmers. Working class Michiganders continue to suffer thanks to a this war as inflation is outdoing any wage gains, but Dear Leader Trump says he doesn't really think about the financial situations of the working class. 

15:00-37:25: MI Senate Race Polls/AIPAC & Stevens

New polling shows progressive Dr. Abdul El-Sayed leading by NINE-POINTS over Democratic establishment choice (and Ms. AIPAC) Congresswoman Haley Stevens, and a 10-Point lead over State Senator Mallory McMorrow in the Democratic Primary for Michigan's open U.S. Senate seat. And with poll numbers showing progressive William Lawrence going toe-to-toe with Democratic establishment candidates in the state's 7th Congressional District, it's leading some observers to conclude the electoral energy right now is with Michigan progressives. 

37:26-45:00: Last Call...Data Center Rejection

A new Gallup Poll reveals 7 of 10 Americans are against Artificial Intelligence Data Centers, and Pat explains why this is the case. 

44:01-48:42: Ending

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Notes: