#podcast #politics #progressives #Democrats #2024Election #Autopsy #MAGA #Trump #Republicans #CorporateGreed #CorporateCorruption #GovernmentCorruption #WorkingClass #Authoritarianism #Democracy #Harris #DigitalMedia #YouthVote #GenZ #Mamdani #Gaza #LeftofLansing

Here's the Left of Lansing "Friday Short" for December 19, 2025.

The Democratic National Committee will not release its 2024 election autopsy report, which was being anticipated by many voters hoping Democrats understood the reasons for their losses to Trump and MAGA Republicans. 

Party officials claim they don't want to divide people, especially since Democrats are winning elections nationwide. 

But what this really proves is that it's obvious the report says chasing so-called "moderate" voters cost Democrats that election. Pat Johnston explains. 

Please, subscribe to the podcast, download each episode, and give it a good review if you can!

Left of Lansing is now on YouTube as well!

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NOTES:

"Democrats won’t release 2024 election loss ‘autopsy’, DNC chair says." By Rachel Leingang of The Guardian

#podcast #politics #Michigan #Progressives #Democrats #Republicans #MAGA #Trump #Economy #DataCenters #WorkingClass #Jobs #Environment #GovernmentCorruption #CorporateCorruption #BigTech #ClimateChange #Decency #Empathy #WhiteChristianNationalism #Authoritarianism #Democracy #LeftOfLansing

Here's Episode 160 of Michigan's Premier Progressive Podcast!

00:00-16:22: Corporate & Government Corruption

Pat Johnston talks about the Trump Regime's move to dismantle a crucial climate change research center in Colorado. If there's no data gathering or research, can there be climate change? The Big Tech Billionaire Bros keep pushing more data centers in Michigan, but the working class is resisting. However, the state's utility monopolies are pushing hard to the the state to green-light these centers. Getting rid of climate change research, pushing for data centers, and a possible war in Venezuela is all connected. It's corporate and government corruption joining forces to leave the working class struggling. 

16:23-29:15: MAGA Michigan Guts Working Class Spending

MAGA Michigan Republicans in the state House blocked already-approved funding for various work projects throughout the state, and other crucial spending projects to help working class Michiganders. We're talking about cutting money for the successful Rx Kids programs, wigs for kids with cancer, mental health services. 

29:16-35:09: Trump on Reiner

In the "Last Call," Pat talks about how Dear Leader Trump's asinine comments regarding the tragic death of movie director and longtime Democratic Party activist Rob Reiner. 

35:10-37:05: Ending

Please, subscribe to the podcast, download each episode, and give it a good review if you can!

Left of Lansing is now on YouTube as well!

leftoflansing.com

NOTES:

"Michigan Dems say $645M work project cuts are ‘cruel’; GOP’s Rylee Linting also calls foul." By Ben Solis of Michigan Advance

"RxKids ‘in limbo,’ Flint reeling over surprise cuts by House Republicans." By Jordyn Hermani & Simon D. Schuster of Bridge Michigan

"Speaker Hall unfazed as groups describe pain from recent budget cuts." By Paul Egan of The Detroit Free Press

Michigan Progressive Democratic state Rep. Betsy Coffia comments via Facebook

"$645 Million Gone With One Vote — Michigan Lawmakers Admit It Wasn’t “Waste.” WKAR's Off The Record

"Frustrations with data center projects bubble over at Michigan Capitol." By Kyle Davidson of Michigan Advance

"Enbridge wins key ruling as federal judge bars Michigan from ending Line 5 easement." By Kyle Davidson of Michigan Advance

"Trump administration plans to break up largest federal climate research center." By Denise Chow & Megan Lebowitz of NBC News

"Bari Weiss’s CBS Erika Kirk Town Hall Falters In the Ratings, Way Behind Kirk’s Fox News Appearances." By Zachary Leeman of Mediaite

Photo of Michigan Capitol protest of data centers courtesy of Kyle Davidson of Michigan Advance

#podcast #politics #progressive #Michigan #Democrats #MAGA #Trump #Republicans #race #minorities #healthcare #implicitbias #Lansing #WhiteChristianNationalism #MattMaddock #Authoritarianism #WorkingClass #Democracy #LeftOfLansing

Here's the Left of Lansing "Monday Musing" for December 15, 2025.

The MAGA Michigan Republican House passed a bill banning implicit bias training for state health care professionals. 

Despite years of research not only showing how implicit bias exists, and how training those on implicit bias can improve care and outcomes for all patients and the doctors and nurses who treat them, MAGA state Rep. Matt Maddock introduced a bill banning implicit bias training because it was nothing but evil Marxism. 

Or something like that. 

The bill passed, but will most likely not pass the state Senate where Democrats have control. 

But it's important to understand that these kinds of anti-science, anti-knowledge, and anti-empathy stances is what drives most of the MAGA base, and it's why that base is shrinking. 

Please, subscribe to the podcast, download each episode, and give it a good review if you can!

Left of Lansing is now on YouTube as well!

leftoflansing.com

NOTES:

"Michigan House approves bill blocking implicit bias training requirements for health professionals." By Kyle Davidson of Michigan Advance

"House adopts bill to scrub bias training from Michigan health care licensing." By Rick Pluta of Michigan Public Radio

Music provided by: https://www.youtube.com/@SpaceLeopard

#podcast #politics #progressive #Michigan #Democrats #Republicans #Trump #MAGA #MattHall #AnnBolin #GretchenWhitmer #CorporateCorruption #GovernmentCorruption #RxKids #Flint #WorkingClass #Oligarchy #Authoritarianism #Democracy #LeftOfLansing

Here's the Left of Lansing "Friday Short" for December 12, 2025.

MAGA Michigan Republicans, led by state House Speaker Matt Hall and House Appropriations Chair Ann Bolin, cancelled $644 million dollars in already-approved funding for work projects throughout the state. That money also included money for the successful Rx Kids programs in Flint and elsewhere around the state for young, struggling families. It also includes cuts in mental health services, veterans' services, and clean energy jobs. AND, it eliminates money that would fund a charter school accountability database. 

MAGA Republicans did this without any hearings or debate. 

They don't believe in the working class. They believe in the corporate donor class.

Please, subscribe to the podcast, download each episode, and give it a good review if you can!

Left of Lansing is now on YouTube as well!

leftoflansing.com

NOTES:

"Michigan Dems say $645M work project cuts are ‘cruel’; GOP’s Rylee Linting also calls foul." By Ben Solis of Michigan Advance

"RxKids ‘in limbo,’ Flint reeling over surprise cuts by House Republicans." By Jordyn Hermani and Simon D. Schuster of Bridge Michigan

#podcast #progressive #politics #Michigan #Democrats #Republicans #MAGA #Trump #BigTech #DataCenters #CorporateGreed #CorporateCorruption #CorporateWelfare #GovernmentCorruption #WorkingClass #Whitmer #GovernorWhitmer #MattHall #HaleyStevens #MalloryMcMorrow #AbdulElSayed #Populism #Election2026 #MichiganAdvance #Authoritarianism #Democracy #SherroneMoore #LeftOfLansing

00:00-15:05: UofM Football/Whitmer Embraces Trump/Populist Uprising

Pat Johnston starts by talking about the firing of Michigan Head Football Coach Sherrone Moore, and how power and greed corrupts everywhere, including college football. Then, he shares how MAGA Republicans are recycling the failed Health Savings Account idea that'll hurt millions of working class Americans. Michigan Democratic Congresswoman Haley Stevens brings Articles of Impeachment for HHS Robert Kennedy Jr., but Pat explains how that serves no good purpose.

15:06-39:40: Jon King, Michigan Advance Editor in-Chief

Michigan Advance Editor In-Chief Jon King talks with Pat about his recent column on how Michigan Democratic Governor's strange embrace of Big Tech data centers is tarnishing her once solid working class bona fides. Pat and John talk about Whitmer's sudden switch for Whitmer who's gone from "That Woman From Michigan" to one of Dear Leader Trump's favorite Democrats. And they talk about the ramifications of next year's Michigan Democratic Senate primary race. 

39:41-46:25: Last Call on MI Dem Senate Race

In this week's "Last Call," Pat shares what he believes will be the three main issues that'll dominate next year's Michigan Democratic Senate Primary race.

46:26-48:23: Ending

Please, subscribe to the podcast, download each episode, and give it a good review if you can!

Left of Lansing is now on YouTube as well!

leftoflansing.com

NOTES:

"Whitmer’s data center enthusiasm will undo her record of putting the people of Michigan first." By Jon King of Michigan Advance

"Howell Township board OKs 6-month data center moratorium; opponents say it exempts current plan." By Ben Solis & Jon King of Michigan Advance

"Whitmer-ordered report links Trump’s tariffs to rising prices and slower growth across Michigan." By Jon King of Michigan Advance

"McMorrow slams Stevens’ impeachment bid, injecting fire into Michigan’s U.S. Senate primary." By Ben Solis of Michigan Advance

"Hall, Bollin defend vote halting $645M in spending as Democrats decry ‘untransparent’ process." By Katherine Dailey of Michigan Advance

"Michigan’s governor replaces clean energy advocate on utilities board with ‘industry ally.’" By Tom Perkins of The Guardian

"It’s time for Democrats to play offense on healthcare." By Dr. Abdul El-Sayed in The Guardian

"RFK Jr.’s vaccine panel weakens recommendation on hepatitis B shot for babies, scrapping universal guidance." By Annika Kim Constantino of CNBC

Politico Interview with Trump on Economy (via Fact Post on X)

Photo of Governor Whitmer courtesy of Anna Liz Nichols of Michigan Advance.

#podcast #politics #progressive #Democrats #Michigan #Republicans #MAGA #Whitmer #GretchenWhitmer #CorporateGreed #CorporateCorruption #GovernmentCorruption #WorkingClass #Medicaid #ElonMusk #Vaccines #Data Centers #BigTech #Oligarchy #Authoritarianism #Democracy #LeftofLansing

Here's the Left of Lansing "Monday Musing" for December 8, 2025. 

Michigan Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer remains eerily silent during The Trump Regime's first year back in power. 

"That Woman From Michigan" is choosing to remain cordial and friendly to a Regime that's causing a lot of harm and hurt to working class Americans while its corporate supporters keep making huge profits. 

To remain silent while the working class suffers speaks volumes about Governor Whitmer's moral compass. 

Please, subscribe to the podcast, download each episode, and give it a good review if you can!

Left of Lansing is now on YouTube as well!

leftoflansing.com

NOTES:

"Doctors, lawmakers urge Gretchen Whitmer to make stand for science, vaccines." By Robin Erb of Bridge Michigan

"This 2028 possibility is Trump’s favorite Democrat." By Dasha Burns of Politico

"Whitmer’s data center enthusiasm will undo her record of putting the people of Michigan first." By Jon King of Michigan Advance

#podcast #politics #Michigan #progressive #Democrats #Republicans #MAGA #Whitmer #DTE #MopUpMichigan #CorporateGreed #CorporateDonors #CorporateCorruption #DataCenters #BigTech #CorporateWelfare #GovernmentCorruption #workingclass #Oligarchy #Authoritarianism #Democracy #leftoflansing

Here's the Left of Lansing "Friday Short" for December 5, 2025.

Thanks to a bombshell report from Craig Mauger in The Detroit News, we're learning more of the grip utility giant DTE has in Lansing, especially with Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer and MAGA Republican House Speaker Matt Hall. 

This is why the Michiganders for Money Out of Politics ballot proposal, OR BETTER KNOWN AS MOP UP MICHIGAN, is a crucial first step in at least limiting the political power corporations play in Lansing. 

It's a people-powered movement, and it puts the working class ahead of corporate greed that's far too pervasive in Lansing. 

Please, subscribe to the podcast, download each episode, and give it a good review if you can!

Left of Lansing is now on YouTube as well!

leftoflansing.com

NOTES:

"Michigan’s governor replaces clean energy advocate on utilities board with ‘industry ally.’" By Tom Perkins in The Guardian

#podcast #politics #progressive #Democrats #MAGA #Republicans #Michigan #MopUpMichigan #CorporateGreed #CorporateCorruption #GovernmentCorruption #DTE #ConsumersEnergy #CorporateDonors #Democracy #Trump #WorkingClass #Jobs #DataCenter #RxKids #Authoritarianism #Democracy #LeftofLansing

Here's Episode 158 of Michigan's Premier Progressive Podcast!

00:00-15:38: Trump Regime & Corporate Cronyism/Utilities & MI AG Race

Pat Johnston starts this week's episode covering the many ways the Trump Family and the Trump Regime are using the government to enrich their pocketbooks while telling working class Americans they're wrong to say they can't afford to buy things anymore. Pat also shares how individuals from DTE & Consumers' Energy are suddenly engaged in next year's Attorney General race in Michigan. Now, why is that?

15:39-38:00: Melinda Billingsley on Mop Up Michigan Prop.

Melinda Billingsley from Voters Not Politicians joins us to talk about the Michiganders for Money Out of Politics ballot initiative. Better known as "Mop Up Michigan," the proposal aims to end corporate influence in the state by banning corporations from making political contributions to politicians if they are doing business with the state. Volunteers are gathering signatures in order to put the question on the ballot for voters in 2026. This gives voters the chance to take a big step in ending the corporate donor grip in Lansing that's infecting both sides of the political aisle.

Click to learn more about "Mop Up Michigan."

38:25-42:01: Last Call Rx Kids 

In this week's "Last Call," evidence is coming in showing how successful the Flint Rx Kids program has been during its first year of implementation. Pat argues it's time to make this program available statewide.

42:03-44:32: Ending

Please, subscribe to the podcast, download each episode, and give it a good review if you can!

Left of Lansing is now on YouTube as well!

leftoflansing.com

NOTES:

 mopupmichigan.org

"Bah humbug: Tariffs muffle holiday cheer, raise prices, squeeze margins." By Myesha Johnson of The Detroit News (via The Morning Sun).

"Ballot initiative seeks to ban political contributions from monopoly corporations, like utilities." By Kyle Davidson of Michigan Advance

"Utility lawyers’ donations to Michigan AG candidate raise conflict-of-interest concerns." By Tom Perkins of Michigan Advance

"Electricity prices jump after Trump rejects disaster aid for Michigan utilities." By Thomas Frank of Politico

"Ballot proposals advance, aiming to get ‘dark money’ out of politics." By Georgia Hill of MSU Spartan Newsroom

"Study: Rx Kids decreasing infant maltreatment allegations in Flint." By Steve Carmody of WKAR News in Lansing

#podcast #politics #Michigan #progressive #Democrats #Elction2025 #DataCenters #BigTech #DTE #ConsumersEnergy #CorporateDonations #CorporateGreed #CorporateCorruption #GovernmentCorruption #WorkingClass #AttorneyGeneral KarenMcDonald #EliSavit #Authoritarianism #Democracy #LeftofLansing

Here's the Left of Lansing "Monday Musing" for December 1, 2025.

Thanks to great reporting from Tom Perkins in Michigan Advance, we learned that top lawyers for Michigan's utility monopolies, DTE and Consumers' Energy, have given multiple donations to Karen McDonald, who's running in the Michigan Democratic Party's Attorney General primary race. 

This is important since one of the main jobs for Michigan's Attorney General is to represent working class Michiganders against the utility monopolies that keep seeking massive energy rate hikes.

Even more, with Big Tech invading Michigan to build its energy and job-sucking A.I. data centers across the state, the AG is expected to fight on behalf of working class Michiganders, who are against these data centers. 

Why are individuals from DTE and Consumers giving to Karen McDonald?

Please, subscribe to the podcast, download each episode, and give it a good review if you can!

Left of Lansing is now on YouTube as well!

leftoflansing.com

NOTES:

"Utility lawyers’ donations to Michigan AG candidate raise conflict-of-interest concerns." By Tom Perkins of Michigan Advance

"Oakland Co. Prosecutor Karen McDonald is top fundraiser among candidates for Michigan AG." By Paul Egan of The Detroit Free Press

#podcast #politics #Michigan #Progressive #DemocraticSocialism #Capitalism #CronyCapitalism #CorporateGreed #CorporateCorruption #GovernmentCorruption #WorkingClass #Mamdani #Economy #Populism #Authoritarianism #Democracy #MAGA #Republicans #Trump #LeftofLansing

Here's the Left of Lansing "Friday Short" for November 28, 2025.

The working class is suffering this Thanksgiving holiday weekend while those within The Trump Regime and its corporate friends and donors are doing handsomely well.

Left of Lansing's Pat Johnston explains how government and corporate greed dominate today's politics, and that's why Progressive Populism is now favored by a working class voting block that's tired of being left outside looking in. 

Please, subscribe to the podcast, download each episode, and give it a good review if you can!

Left of Lansing is now on YouTube as well!

leftoflansing.com