#podcast #politics #democrats #DemocraticParty #ElonMusk #Fasicsm #MAGA #Republicans #Trump #AOC #BernieSanders #Progressives #Medicare #Medicaid #SocialSecurity #WorkingClass #CorporateGreed #CorporateCorruption #CorporateAuthoritarianism #ElissaSlotkin #leftoflansing

Here's the Left of Lansing "Monday Musing" for March 17, 2025!

Senate Democrats, led by New York Senator Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, voted with the entire Republican Senate majority to pass a six-months spending bill, essentially giving Dear Leader Trump and co-President Elon Musk the power to gut essential services for working class Americans while enriching the corporate donor class. 

This has led to a fight within the Democratic Party, and it's a fight for very soul of what The Party used to stand for: strong working class values. 

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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"‘Absolutely ridiculous’: Democrats seethe at Schumer for backing GOP spending bill." By Minho Kim of The New York Times

"Bernie Sanders draws 10,000 supporters to Warren for a ‘Fight Oligarchy’ rally." By Andrew Roth of Michigan Advance

#podcast #politics #Michigan #democracy #WorkingClass #populism #GenZ #Democrats #Medicaid #SocialSecurity #Medicare #Indivisible #Republicans #MAGA #ElonMusk #CorporateGreed #CorporateCorruption #CorporateAuthoritarianism #LeftOfLansing #Veterans

Here's Episode 124 of Michigan's Premier Progressive Podcast!

00:00-24:54 Gilchrist In Primary/Indivisible Central MI Event

Pat begins the show talking about Michigan Lt. Gov Garlin Gilchrist entering the Democratic primary for the 2026 Governor's race. He'll go up against Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, and Genesee Co. Sheriff Chris Swanson. Then, Pat shares audio from a recent rally held by Indivisible Central Michigan on why safety net programs, like Medicaid, Social Security, and SNAP are vital for millions of working Michiganders. All of those programs are under attack by Presidents Musk and Trump. Contact Indivisible Central MI: [email protected], and visit their Facebook page. And, to find a local Indivisible chapter near you, click here.

24:55-43:31: Austin Marsman Interview

Next, Chair of Youth Democrats of Michigan, Austin Marsman, talks about why and how he's trying to attract Generation Z voters towards the state Democratic Party. That's important because while Gen Z backed Democrats in the '24 election, Trump & MAGA were able to close the gap, especially with male Gen Z voters. Austin also gives his takes on all of these Michigan Republicans in Congress refusing to do town halls because of their unpopular policies, and he gives a grade against his former opponent for the state House... Speaker Matt Hall. Visit Youth Democrats of Michigan on Facebook.

And email them: [email protected]

43:32-49:47: Last Call Debating MAGA

In his "Last Call," Pat plays a clip from The Majority Report's Sam Stein as he debated 20 young MAGA backers on Jubilee. Mr. Stein got to experience what Pat experienced in his 20 years in talk radio: It's impossible to speak to or with the MAGA cult. 

49:47-51:42: 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: 

"State-by-state report by Dems projects millions of people could lose Medicaid coverage." By Jennifer Schutt of Michigan Advance

"Poll finds support for stable or increased Medicaid funding, including among Trump voters." By Jennifer Schutt of Michigan Advance

"Trump made gains with young male voters. Here's how other young people voted." By Sara Chernikoff of USA Today

"MI House Republicans shock Democrats with introduction - and quick passage - of budget bills in Lansing." By Rick Pluta & Zoe Clark of Michigan Public Radio

#podcast #politics #19thAmendment #Michigan #Voting #VotingRights #Constitution #WomensRights #Marriage #MAGA #Republicans #Democrats #progressives #leftoflansing

Here's the Left of Lansing "Monday Musing" for March 10, 2025.

The MAGA Michigan Republican Party is trying to pass a resolution to reach the state ballot in 2026 that would require proof of citizenship while registering to vote. 

While this does nothing to fix a non-existent "voter fraud" problem, it does do one thing Republicans across the country want: to chip away at the 19th Amendment to the United States Constitution. 

It's the White Christian Nationalist goal of ripping away the rights of women.

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:

"Battle lines drawn in fight over Michigan voter citizenship proposal." By Haley Harding of Votebeat (via Bridge Michigan)

"Millions of married women voters could be disenfranchised under proposed federal law, opponents say." By Justin Engel of MLive.com

#podcast #politics #culturewars #Michigan #Democrats #MAGA #Republicans #HigherEducation #Education #Race #Progressives #Authoritarians #Musk #Trump #LeftOfLansing

Here's the Left Of Lansing "Friday Short" for March 7, 2025!

Dear Leader Donald Trump issued an executive order this week threatening colleges and universities how they'd lose federal funding if they allowed "illegal" student protests. 

Combine that order with the Musk-Trump Regime's attacks on DEI programs in higher education, and more, it's clear to everyone how this regime is trying to emulate other past authoritarians' attacks on higher education. 

This affects all Americans, but only the few at the top of the financial and political elite will benefit while the rest of us lose our financial and political power. 

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

#podcast #politics #Michigan #Democrats #MAGA #progressives #Education #CorporateGreed #Trump #LeftOfLansing

Here's Episode 123 of Michigan's Premier Progressive Podcast!

00:00-12:08: Public Backlash Against MAGA Starts

Pat begins this week covering a few stories of extreme MAGA Michigan Republicans choosing to play culture wars rather than helping working families as they go after "Red Flag Laws" that ensures dangerous people can't purchase firearms in the state. Pat highlights how MAGA Michigan Republicans in Congress are ignoring the groundswell of anger growing in the state, and the country, over President Elon Musk & Dear Leader Trump's attacks on our veterans, our farmers, and our working class.

12:09-36:00: Dr. Julian Vasquez Heilig Interview

Western Michigan University Education Scholar Dr. Julian Vasquez Heilig joins the show to discuss how the Musk & Trump are threatening to cut the federal funding for universities across the nation if those institutions don't eliminate their DEI initiatives. Dr. Vasquez Heilig argues that not only are these orders unconstitutional, but that universities must resist this threat in order to preserve a more level playing field for all marginalized students.

Visit his site, "Cloaking Inequity," which covers the right-wing attacks against public education.

And check-out Dr. Julian Vasquez Heilig's podcast as well!

36:20-49:21: Last Call-Slotkin Speech Review

In this week's "Last Call," Pat gives his review of Michigan Democratic U.S. Senator Elissa Slotkin's rebuttal to Trump's address to Congress this week. Pat gives the high-and-lowlights of the speech, and how it shows Democrats are still guilty of believing centrism will save them, and us. 

49:22-51:31: 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:

"Future of DEI In Higher Education Under Attack with Dr. Julian Vasquez Heilig on Democracy NOW w/ Amy Goodman."

"Facing deadline to end DEI, Michigan schools ask crucial question: What is DEI?" By Isabel Lohman of Bridge Michigan

"Rep. DeSana introduces bills to repeal Michigan’s red flag gun laws." By Jon King of Michigan Advance

"MSU loses millions in agriculture, higher ed grants as Trump slashes USAID." By Lauren Gibbons of Bridge Michigan

#podcast #politics #Democrats #Republicans #MAGA #ElissaSlotkin #Progressives #CorporateCorruption #Trump #Congress #Oligarchy #LeftOfLansing

Here's the Left Of Lansing "Monday Musing" for March 3, 2025.

Democrats have picked Michigan Democratic U.S. Senator Elissa Slotkin to speak for the Party after Trump's Joint Address to Congress this week.

Pat explains why a firebreather is needed for this speech, and Senator Slotkin isn't up to that task. 

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

#podcast #politics #GenZ #Michigan #Whitmer #MAGA #WhiteChristianNationalism #Republicans #Democrats #progressives #womensissues #toxicmasculinity #economy #education #leftoflansing

Here's the Left Of Lansing "Friday Short" for February 28, 2025.

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer carved-out a section of this week's State of the State address to highlight the need to get young men back in colleges and universities where women outnumber men. 

But rather than accept blame for falling behind women on the job front, some Gen Z men are being taught to play victim by blaming feminism or woke-ism for their problems. 

It's a message that's hurting these young men, but it's unfortunately a message that's resonating with many young men. 

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

#podcast #politics #democrats #republicans #progressives #MAGA #Trump #ElonMusk #Oligarchy #CorporateGreed #CorporateCorruption #Michigan #MichiganNews #news #Whitmer #WorkingClass #Medicaid #LeftOfLansing

Here's Episode 122 of Michigan's Progressive Podcast!

00:00-18:56: Musk-Trump-MAGA Attacking Medicaid

Pat Johnston begins this week's show highlighting how MAGA Republicans are going along with the Musk-Trump Regime's moves to gut Medicaid, Social Security, Food Stamps, and the entire working class so they can funnel money back-up to the rich donor base, otherwise known as the tech oligarchy. 

18:56-34:00: Whitmer's Missed Opportunity

A talk on how Michigan Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer wasted a chance to paint a clear contrast between Democrats, who should be working around the clock for the state's working class, and MAGA Republicans, who are plainly working to appease the corporate donor base and authoritarianism. You can't do bipartisanship with a political movement bent on destroying our government.

34:01-40:50: Last Call on Camp Goodtime

Pat's "Last Call" this week is on how he will not apologize for "calling 'em as he sees 'em." 

40:51-42:49: 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 Governor Gretchen Whitmer's State of State Address via WDIV-Channel 4 in Detroit

"10 Things to Know About Medicaid." via KFF

"UPDATE: Whitmer signs bipartisan deal on tipped wage and sick time hours." By Kyle Davidson of Michigan Advance

Photos: "U.S. Capitol building" by Gage Skidmore is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.

"Littmann Stethoscope" by medisave is licensed under CC BY 2.0.

"Social Security Card - Illustration" by DonkeyHotey is licensed under CC BY 2.0.

#podcast #progressive #politics #GretchenWhitmer #Whitmer #Michigan #MichiganPolitics #MAGA #Trump #Musk  #leftoflansing

Here's the Left Of Lansing "Monday Musing" for February 24, 2025.

This week, Pat Johnston wonders what happened to the Big Gretch of old?

Governor Gretchen Whitmer appears to be journeying towards the nebulous political "center" at a time when the Democratic and progressive base is in need of true leaders to defend against the autocratic takeover caused by co-Presidents Elon Musk and Donald Trump. 

In her first term, Whitmer touted being, "That woman from Michigan." Now, she's touting on finding common ground with Dear Leader Trump.

And this illustrates why Democratic Party leaders are failing to lead. 

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

"Gretchen Whitmer: I want to find ‘common ground’ with Donald Trump." By Simon D. Schuster of Bridge Magazine

#podcast #politics #news #progressives #Democrats #Musk #DOGE #Trump #MAGA #CorporateGreed #Farmers #SocialSecurity #Corruption #Project2025 #LeftOfLansing

Here's the Left of Lansing "Friday Short" for Feb. 21, 2025!

Poll numbers are already crashing for Dear Leader Trump just one month back in office, but the numbers are even worse for President Elon Musk!

It turns-out Americans are quickly seeing what The Swamp really, and truly looks like. 

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