#podcast #politics #Michigan #RightWing #MattHall #MaiXiong #Democrats #Progressives #Trump #MAGA #ElonMusk #Whitmer #LeftOfLansing

Here's the Left of Lansing "Friday Short" for May 2, 2025!

MAGA Michigan Republican House Speaker Matt Hall threw a temper-tantrum this week after Democratic State Rep. Mai Xiong criticized Hall for closing down the House so he could slobber and stargaze at his Dear Leader Trump in Michigan.

Hall called Xiong "low IQ," since she had the temerity to call-out how he and his MAGA Republican collogues continue to ignore the working class in the state.

When MAGA policies predictably fail, hurling middle school insults, like Dear Leader Trump does, is all MAGA Republican authoritarians have left.

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NOTES:

"Rep. Xiong responds to ‘disrespectful’ remarks from Michigan House Speaker." By Kyle Davidson of Michigan Advance

#podcast #politics #Michigan #Democrats #progressives #CorporateCorruption #GovernmentCorruption #CorporateWelfare #WorkingClass #Lobbying #DonorBase #CorporateAuthoritarianism #Trump #ElonMusk #Whitmer #MattHall #Republicans #LeftOfLansing

Here's Episode 131 of Michigan's Premier Progressive Podcast!

00:00-21:41: Trump's Low #'s/Slotkin & Oligarchy

The first segment features Pat Johnston detailing how Michiganders, and America, are giving Trump a failing grade after his first 100 days in office. Trump's tariffs are hurting the working class, but he and his regime are doubling-down. Then, Pat breaks-down Michigan Democratic Senator Elissa Slotkin's new "war plans" for Democrats, and where she says Democrats should stop saying "oligarchy" when attacking Trump. Pat gives examples where he thinks Slotkin's right, and where she's wrong.

22:01-39:00: Interview w/ Paula Gardner

Paula Gardner, Business Editor at Bridge Michigan, is our guest this week. Ms. Gardner unveiled a handful of articles detailing how this state's reliance on taxpayer-funded corporate subsidies aren't bringing the jobs and economic growth many promised. Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer has championed these subsidies during her tenure. But because the near $1Billion in spending hasn't resulted in the jobs supporters said would happen, there seems to be bipartisan agreement that we need new solutions. Check-out Ms. Gardner's article, "WHITMER SUBSIDY RECORD: COMPANIES GET 1-BILLION DOLLARS; JOBS FALL SHORT OF PROMISES.”

39:01-46:00: Last Call-Whitmer & Trump

Pat's "Last Call" is on Whitmer joining Trump during his Michigan trip this week, and where she went right and wrong on that visit. 

46:01-49:16: 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!

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NOTES:

"Whitmer subsidy record: Companies get $1 billion; jobs fall short of promises." By Paula Gardner of Bridge Michigan

"After $1B and mixed results, Michigan lawmakers cooling on corporate incentives." By Paula Gardner of Bridge Michigan

"Bernie Sanders pushes back against Elissa Slotkin’s criticism of using the term ‘oligarchy.’" By Jon King of Michigan Advance

"U.S. economy shrinks 0.3% in first quarter as Trump trade wars disrupt businesses." By Paul Wiseman and Christopher Rugaber of Associated Press

"UP protesters gather in Marquette before Rep. Jack Bergman speaks at fundraiser." By TV6 WLUC in Marquette

"Trump, joined by Whitmer, announces new jets for Selfridge." By Rob French of Bridge Michigan

"More give Trump an F than any other grade for first 100 days, poll finds." By Domenico Montanaro of NPR

#podcast #health #Michigan #Vaccines #Politics #Democrats #MAGA #Extemism #PublicHealth #HealthCare #LeftOfLansing

Here's the Left of Lansing "Monday Musing" for April 28, 2025!

Michigan has nine measles cases so far in 2025. It's not too hard to figure-out why: major drops in childhood vaccination rates in the state combined with misinformation and mixed messages from the Trump Regime, and specifically from its Health & Human Services Director Robert Kennedy Jr.

Pat Johnston explains why he's not so sure making measles great again in the country is a winning strategy for the people. 

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:

"Michigan headed toward worst year for measles in decades, chief medical exec says." Hannay Mackay of The Detroit News

"RFK Jr. says he wants to curb measles. His former nonprofit keeps undermining his message." By Barbara Rodriguez of The 19th News

#podcast #Politics #GulfOfMexico #Michigan #MattMaddock #MAGA #Republicans #Weird #Trump #Progressives #Democrats #LeftOfLansing

Here's the Left Of Lansing "Friday Short" for April 25, 2025.

The weird Michigan MAGA Republican state House Rep. Matt Maddock of the 51st House District is making news again in his own warped and cruel way.

Maddock announced this week that he wants to abolish the Michigan Veteran's Affairs Agency, which coincides with Dear Leader Trump and Elon Musk cutting the U.S. Veterans' Affairs office.

Maddock also introduced a bill forcing Michigan's government to call The Gulf of Mexico the "Gulf of America," which is how MAGA Republicans believe will help the working class?

Pat Johnston shares his thoughts on why Maddock is the perfect embodiment of today's clownish, weird, but horrifically cruel MAGA Republican Party.

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:

"Child marriage is now banned in Michigan." Anna Liz Nichols of Michigan Advance

"GOP Rep. Maddock on tape: ‘We’re going to have a civil war or some sort of revolution.’" By Jon King of Michigan Advance

#podcast #politics #Michigan #progressives #Democrats #Line5 #Trump #MAGA #Economy #CorporateGreed #Oligarchy #WorkingClass #Environment #CorporateCorruption #GovernmentCorruption #LeftOfLansing

Here's Episode 130 of Michigan's Premier Progressive Podcast!

00:00-20:03: MAGA MI Cowards/Stevens Runs For U.S. Senate

LOL's Pat Johnston describes how the "empty chair" town halls for MAGA Michigan Republican Congressmen John James and Tom Barrett shows the cowardice of these so-called tough MAGA men. How can John James run for governor if he's too afraid to face his own constituents who are angry with how Dear Leader Trump & Republicans are gutting Social Security and Medicaid while passing massive tax breaks for the corporate donor base. And Pat isn't real enthused by Democratic Congresswoman Haley Stevens's U.S. Senate run, and he explains why.

20:04-44:56: Dr. Jeffrey Insko Line 5 Interview

Dr. Jeffrey Insko of The Current joins Pat to discuss the Trump Regime's fast-tracking of a tunnel project designed to keep the Line 5 pipeline operational for Canadian energy company Enbridge. The 72-year old pipeline is in poor shape, and a major leak or spill could spell doom for the health of the Great Lakes and Michigan's economy. Dr. Insko explains the decades of corporate and government corruption keeping Line 5 operating, and putting Michiganders at risk.

44:57-50:13: Last Call-MAGA Wants Tax On Rich?

In the "Last Call," Pat explains why some MAGA Republicans, like former Trump strategist Steve Bannon, are pushing Republicans to pass a tax on millionaires and billionaires. It's obvious that AOC * Bernie Sanders' "anti-oligarchy" tour is resonating with millions across the country.

50:14-52:13: 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:

"Trump administration to fast-track Line 5 tunnel, calling project 'emergency.'" By Kelly House of Bridge Michigan

"Absent Tom Barrett, 7th District town hall meeting lets constituents express concerns, frustrations." By Erick Diaz Valiz of Michigan Advance

"Michigan Republicans praise Trump, Army Corps for fast-tracking Line 5 tunnel." By SooLeader Staff at SooLeader.com

"Line 5, a Trump donor, is profiting off a pipeline deal threatening pollution." By Tom Perkins of The Guardian-Detroit

"In default on your student loans? Trump’s team says they will garnish wages, take your tax refunds." By Matt Durr of MLive.com

"Steve Bannon (Yes, Really!) Just Had a Good Idea for Trump." By Ellie Quinlan Houghtaling of The New Republic

#podcast #politics #immigration #Michigan #Education #InternationalStudents #Deportation #GovernmentCorruption #MAGA #Republicans #CorporateAuthoritariansm #Authoritarianism #LatinoVoters #Trump #Economy #Democrats #LeftOfLansing

Here's the Left of Lansing "Monday Musing" for April 21, 2025.

A new Gallop poll shows Americans are beginning to reject Dear Leader Trump on a host of issues, including his top issue of Immigration.

Ryan Cooper of The American Prospect gives reasonings as to why Americans are no longer supporting his anti-Constitutional immigration disappearance program, but also why Latino-American voters are rejecting him even though many voted for him just five months ago.

And this is why Democrats should've never ceded ground on immigration rather than choosing Trump-Lite on the issue. It didn't solve the issue, nor did it give them extra votes.

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:

"Trump scores better marks with the public on immigration than the economy." By  AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research

#podcast #politics #Michigan #DEI #MinorityRights #Immigration #HigherEducation #GovernmentCorruption #WhiteChristianNationalism #WhiteChristianNationalist #Law #MAGA #Oligarchy #Propaganda #Authoritarianism #Republicans #MichiganState 

Here's the Left of Lansing "Friday Short" for April 18 2025.

Michigan State University's faculty passed a resolution calling for MSU to join a new "mutual defense compact" with other Big Ten schools to help fight back against the Trump Regime's constant attacks on higher education in Michigan, and the country.

The Trump Regime is working to defund colleges and universities so it can force these higher education institutions to instill their warped and weird White Christian Nationalist propaganda. 

It was all right there for us to read in Project 2025.

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:

"MSU faculty join call for Big Ten 'mutual defense compact' against Trump administration." By Owen McCarthy in State News

#podcast #politics #Michigan #progressives #Democrats #GretchenWhitmer #DavidHogg #Trump #ElonMusk #CorporateCorruption #GovernmentCorruption #Corruption #Immigration #First Amendment #Education #Republicans #Economy #Authoritarianism #WhiteChristianNationalism #RightWing #Democracy #WorkingClass

Here's Episode 129 of Michigan's Premier Progressive Podcast!

00:00-21:46: What Happens When We Give-Up To MAGA

Pat Johnston opens the show talking about the Republicans running to become Michigan's next governor. It'll be funny, but cringeworthy, to watch Congressman John James and former state Attorney General Mike Cox try to "out-Trump" each other. Pat then explains how years of Democrats giving-up against MAGA Republicans is a major reason why we're facing the totalitarian takeover of the country by Trump & MAGA. The Trump Regime is now targeting international students at several universities and colleges in an effort to harm undocumented students, and higher education. Democrats give an inch, and Trump & MAGA will take 10 miles!

21:47-32:48: Julie Powers-Immigration Law & Justice MI

Executive Director Julie Powers from Immigration Law & Justice Michigan joins the show to share her insights over the Trump Regime's attacks on international students on Michigan colleges and universities. Ms. Powers explains why Trump and his White Christian Nationalist supporters are targeting these students, and how it won't just hurt the students and higher education, but also the towns where these institutions reside.

32:49-41:00: Last Call-David Hogg Is Right

In this week's "Last Call," Pat applauds Democratic National Committee Vice Chair David Hogg's announcement that he'll use his PAC to help find candidates to primary certain Democratic Party officeholders in safe-Blue seats, who've fallen asleep at the wheel. This is what we call... Democracy!

41:00-43:00: Ending

Photo of Trump in White House:

"Photo of the Day: January 4, 2018" by The White House is marked with Public Domain Mark 1.0.

Democratic Party Logo: "Democratic Donkey - Icon" by DonkeyHotey is licensed under CC BY 2.0.

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer: "Gretchen Whitmer Taiwan 20240304" by 總統府 (Office of the President) is licensed under CC BY 2.0.

NOTES:

"Some CMU student visas and records revoked, impact unclear." By Courtney Boyd & Lauren Rice Of WCMU

"More foreign students in Michigan targeted for deportation, including 22 at U-M." By John Wisely of The Detroit Free Press

"Donald Trump's administration is canceling student visas. What are visas? What do they do?" By Jalen Williams of The Detroit Free Press

"USDA cuts hit small farms as Trump showers billions on big farms." By Kevin Hardy of Stateline (via Michigan Advance)

"Trump administration to fast-track Line 5 tunnel, calling project 'emergency.'" By Kelly House of Bridge Michigan

#podcast #politics #Michigan #education #News #Democrats #Republicans #MAGA #WhiteChristianNationalism #Immigration #HigherEducation #FirstAmendmentRights #Trump #CentralMichiganUniversity #UniversityOfMichigan #Authoritariansim #Progressives #Fascism

Here's the Left of Lansing "Monday Musing" for April 14, 2025.

The Trump Regime has started to new line of attack against Michigan universities and colleges: By forcing foreign students to leave via threats of deportation.

The Regime is also issuing similar threats to foreign students across the country in an effort, they say, to remove those who are a risk to America. 

But what this is really about is pleasing the anti-immigrant and anti-science MAGA Republican base, draining universities of much-needed federal funding, and removing the free speech rights of noncitizens.

And after they are successful at stamping-out free speech rights for noncitizens, they'll go after American citizens for criticism them. 

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: 

"More foreign students in Michigan targeted for deportation, including 22 at U-M." By John Wisely of The Detroit Free Press

"For-profit immigration detention expands as Trump accelerates his deportation plans." By Amanda Hernandez of States Newsroom (via Michigan Advance)

#podcast #politics #Michigan #MichiganPolitics #Economy #Tariffs #CorporateCorruption #Corruption #Government #GovernmentCorruption #GenX #Progressives #MinimumWage #Democrats #unions #WorkingClass #HamiltonNolan #LaborRights #Trump #ElonMusk #Republicans #Democrats #MAGA #LeftOfLansing

00:00-17:45: Protests/Tariff Con/Whitmer WH Visit

Pat opens the show discussing Trump's Tariff Con, and how it's costing the working class. And while Democratic Party leaders still appear unable to fight back against MAGA Republicanism's embrace of corporate authoritarianism, Indivisible groups are leading the way with "Hands-Off" protests across Michigan and the country last weekend. Pat also has words for Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's disastrous White House visit.

17:46-40:01: Hamilton Nolan Interview

Labor Writer Hamilton Nolan joins Pat to talk more about why Trump's Tariff Con isn't about helping the working class. Hamilton describes the reasons why multinational corporations moved jobs overseas: to break unions. Hamilton also shares thoughts on how it's up to us to stop Republicans from redistributing wealth and power from the working class to the corporate class. Please visit Hamilton Nolan's site called, "How Things Work," to read all of his writings, and pick-up a copy of his book, "The Hammer: Power, Inequality, and The Struggle For The Soul Of Labor."

40:02-45:39: Last Call-What Happened To Gen X?

Pat wonders what happened to Generation X as it continues to trend more right-wing while other generations are not. 

45:40-47:45--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!

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NOTES:

"They Are Going to Take Everything If We Don't Stop Them." By Hamilton Nolan in How Things Work

"An International Minimum Wage." By Hamilton Nolan in How Things Work

"Trump surprise led to cringeworthy moment for Whitmer, Michigan in Oval Office | Opinion." By Nancy Kaffer of The Detroit Free Press

"Gretchen Whitmer goes to Washington with a call for bipartisanship to grow the economy." By Alexandra Marquez of CNBC

"Hands-Off" Rally Video in Lansing, MI. Courtesy Julia Pulver