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Here's Episode #177 of Michigan's Premier Progressive Podcast!

00:00-21:52: Trump Ballroom/AIPAC Backs Haley Stevens

Pat Johnston's sinus infection may have knocked him down, but he's not out this week! It turns out the working class will indeed pay for The Trump Regime's $1billion ballroom at the White House. Surprised? Also this week, AIPAC announced it's doubling-down on Michigan Democratic Congresswoman Haley Stevens in the Democratic Primary Race for the state's open Senate seat. AIPAC is holding a fundraiser for Stevens because it views progressive-populist candidate, Dr. Abdul El-Sayed, to be a threat to the U.S.-Israel "relationship." 

22:53-31:24: State Senate Reax

Michigan Democrats earned a blowout victory in a crucial race for an open state Senate seat this week. Saginaw firefighter Chedrick Greene earned 60% of the vote over the MAGA Republican candidate for the 35th state senate district, which includes Bay, Midland, and Saginaw Counties. It was another race where Democrats outperformed their 2024 numbers, and Pat explains what that could mean for the primary and general election races later this year. 

31:25-39:00: Last Call--We're In a Populist Mood

In this week's "Last Call," Pat comments on some statements and conclusions made by pollster Richard Czuba during a recent edition of "Off The Record with Tim Skubick" on WKAR in Lansing. 

39:01-41:56: Ending

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NOTES:
Mop Up Michigan Ballot Initiative: https://mopupmichigan.org/

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Here's the Left of Lansing "Friday Short" for May 1, 2026!

Michigan Democratic Congresswoman Kristen McDonald-Rivet from the 8th District in Bay, Midland, Saginaw, and Genesee Counties won her election despite Trump winning her district in 2024.

But despite Trump's falling poll numbers, and a majority of working class Democratic base voters begging congressional Democrats to grow a spine and oppose the Trump Regime's constant corruption, McDonald-Rivet keeps making some puzzling votes in her first term in office. 

She's voted in favor of giving the regime broad surveillance powers, of passing a pro-corporate farm bill, and for MAGA anti-immigration and pro-ICE bills. And McDonald-Rivet released a statement critical of how delegates acted and voted at the Michigan Democratic Party Convention, in which her sister lost party's attorney general nominating race. 

Pat Johnston talks about McDonald-Rivet's record, and why it's a stark example of what working class voters don't want from their representatives in this day of The Trump Regime. 

In this week's "Last Call," Pat shares his thoughts on the Supreme Court's MAGA majority's decision to essentially eradicate the Voting Rights Act. 

48:38-50:46: Ending

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NOTES:

Click here to donate $5 on Left of Lansing on Patreon!
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Here's Episode #176 of Michigan's Premier Progressive Podcast

00:00-17:05: MI Senate Race/Gas Prices & Ballrooms

Pat Johnston opens the show talking about The Trump Regime's push to make taxpayers fund Dear Leader's precious little ballroom. The economy is cratering for the working class, gas prices are nearing record highs, we've spent around $50 Billion so far for Trump's & Israel's unconstitutional War on Iran, inflation is getting worse, and we can't afford health insurance, but we have to pay for a $400 million ballroom to wine & dine The Epstein Class? Then, Pat gives some of the latest news surrounding the Democratic primary for the U.S. Senate race, and it appears progressive Dr. Abdul El-Sayed is the new leader.

17:06-40:05: Ivan Diaz For MI State Senate 29 Interview

Progressive Ivan Diaz, Democratic candidate for Michigan's State Senate 29 District, talks about his campaign and the working class vision he wants to bring the state Senate. Mr. Diaz is a former Kent County Commissioner, and has been involved in his community for his adult life. He's a believer in a decent minimum wage, in a single payer system in Michigan, and in bringing a passionate voice for the working class in his district and throughout the state.

Visit Ivan Diaz's campaign: https://voteivandiaz.com/
Visit Ivan Diaz on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100078727971393
Visit Ivan Diaz on Instagram

40:06--48:37: Last Call-SCOTUS Kills VRA

In this week's "Last Call," Pat shares his thoughts on the Supreme Court's MAGA majority's decision to essentially eradicate the Voting Rights Act. 

48:38-50:46: Ending

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

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NOTES:

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Here's the Left of Lansing "Monday Musing" for April 27, 2026.

LOL's Pat Johnston shares why he, and so many millions of Americans, couldn't react normally to the alleged assassination attempt on Dear Leader Trump during the White House Correspondents Dinner in Washington, D.C.

The Regime makes it impossible for Americans to take anything at face value. And thanks to how The Regime used the incident to push for its billionaire Epstein Class-backed White House ballroom, as well as a way to silence dissent, the working class is responding with one giant shoulder shrug. 

Perhaps it's the constant corruption, and corporate corruption coveted by The Regime, as well as the constant gaslighting, that Americans aren't as moved as they used to be whenever any previous attempts against an American president's life were made.

And maybe it's also how Dear Leader Trump reacted when opponents of his passed away.

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Here's Episode #175 of Michigan's Premier Progressive Podcast!

00:00-18:03: MSU & RxKids/Tone Deaf Dems

Pat Johnston covers how MAGA Michigan Republican House Speaker Matt Hall, along with MAGA House Republicans, are proposing a 62% cut to MSU & UofM in their 2027 budget. One reason Hall is attacking MSU is because the university is a sponsor to the popular Rx Kids program, which is a direct cash for parents program throughou the state. Then, establishment Michigan Democrats brought New Jersey Senator Cory Booker to speak just before the the party's endorsement convention last weekend. It's strange to have Senator Booker chide those who couldn't vote for Kamala Harris while he couldn't support fellow Democrat and NYC Mayor, Zohran Mamdani. 

18:04-35:14: Aisha Farooqi For Congress Interview

Progressive Democratic Congressional candidate for Michigan's 11th District, Aisha Farooqi, talks with Pat about her campaign to represent and amplify Michigan's working class voice in Congress. Ms. Farooqi shares her story, including how she's the daughter of immigrants, how she used her law degree to fight for the underdog, and why we need more of a Democratic spine to push-back against the Trump Regime in Congress. More than that, she wants to push for policies to benefit the working class, including Medicare For All.

Visit Aisha Farooqi's Campaign: https://aishaforcongress.com/
Visit Aisha Farooqi on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aisha_for_congress/
Visit Aisha Farooqi on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aishaforcongress

35:15-49:52: Last Call on MDP Convention Fallout

In this week's "Last Call," Pat covers how establishment-corporate Michigan Democrats handled their losses at the Michigan Democratic Party's Endorsement Convention. Cries of "antisemitism" are being thrown-out there by the establishment even though the delegates nominated a Jewish candidate for Attorney General!

49:53-52:56: Ending

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NOTES:
Aisha Farooqi For Congress: https://aishaforcongress.com/

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Here's the Left of Lansing "Monday Musing" for April 20, 2026.

Progressives scored some major victories at the Michigan Democratic Party's nominating convention over the weekend, including the upset of the weekend where progressive Washtenaw County Prosecutor Eli Savit defeated the establishment's choice of Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald to be the party's Attorney General nominee. 

Progressives also ousted a sitting member on the University of Michigan's Board of Regents, who attacked pro-Palestinian protesters on UofM's campus, and who also allegedly made sexually explicit texts regarding a Democratic Party official, and a UofM student. 

Some pro-Israel types are proclaiming the convention's results show how there's no room for Jewish Democrats, anymore. Yet, Eli Savit, who Democratic Party delegates selected to be the party's nominee for AG, is Jewish. 

Pat Johnston explains what's really irking some establishment party leaders after these progressive victories. 

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NOTES:

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Here's the Left of Lansing "Friday Short" for April 17, 2026.

We've got some big Democratic Party Primary races coming up in August that'll give America a good idea of where Michigan wants to go.

We've got the crucial Democratic U.S. Senate primary where the progressive Dr. Abdul El-Sayed is leading the two other establishment candidates.

And we've got progressive working class activist, community-fighter, and pro-democracy congressional candidate William Lawrence, who's running against an establishment party candidate for Michigan's 7th Congressional District, currently being held by the weak MAGA Republican Tom Barrett.

Pat Johnston explains how that race, and others like it, can help point the Democratic Party towards a real Democratic social and economic change for the working class.

That's why the primaries are just as important as the general election this year.

To hear the complete interview with William Lawrence, visit:
https://audioboom.com/posts/8890669-mi-progressive-william-lawrence-for-congress-trump-s-failing-economy-new-mi-senate-poll

Or: https://youtu.be/Ltp-amaaHa4?si=8bXB785Bf3RafFvh

Visit William Lawrence's Campaign
Visit William Lawrence on Instagram
Visit William Lawrence on Facebook

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

[email protected]

Left of Lansing is now on YouTube as well!

Music provided by Wanderbeats. To hear the latest project, visit Space Leopard on various streaming sites, or visit: https://www.youtube.com/@SpaceLeopard

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Here's Episode #174 of Michigan's Premier Progressive Podcast!

00:00-19:17: Joke John James/Trump Tax Cuts/Bridget Brink

MAGA Republican Michigan Congressman John James not only refuses to campaign in his run for Governor, or show-up to do his job in Congress, but he couldn't even be bothered to co-sponsor a resolution celebrating UofM's basketball team's national championship? We're in the Trump Regime's second year, and the economy is cratering for working class Americans. And, Pat highlights how the Democratic Party establishment is putting its might behind another supposed "moderate" over a progressive, working class candidate in the primary race for Michigan's 7th Congressional District.

19:18-46:59: William Lawrence Interview

Pat Johnston talks with William Lawrence, progressive Democratic candidate for Michigan's 7th congressional district. The district is currently held by MAGA Republican Tom Barrett, who continues to support The Trump Regime's anti-America First agenda in what is viewed as a toss-up district. Mr. Lawrence talks about his support for popular progressive policies, such as Medicare For All, opposing billionaire tech bro data centers, taxing the Epstein Class while ending Trump's War On Iran, and refusing to spend millions on Israel over the working class in America.

Visit William Lawrence's Campaign
Visit William Lawrence on Instagram
Visit William Lawrence on Facebook

47:00-54:17: Last Call MI Dem Senate Race

In the "Last Call," Pat shares a new poll showing a three-way statistical tie in the Democratic Senate Primary race between Dr. Abdul El-Sayed, State Senator Mallory McMorrow, and "Ms. AIPAC" Haley Stevens.

54:18-56:24: Ending

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NOTES:

Photo of William Lawrence speaking at Michigan Capitol courtesy William Lawrence For Congress

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Here's the Left of Lansing "Monday Musing" for April 13, 2026.

The Centers For Disease Control reports that birth rates in the United States continued to drop for another year.

There's a few reasons why this is the case, including women wanting to focus on careers and have kids later on, and that less teenagers are getting pregnant (thankfully!).

But one MAIN reason why adults are choosing to have fewer kids, or no kids at all, is because we live in a country that's rigged the game for the billionaire Epstein Class against the working class.

LOL's Pat Johnston explains.

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Here's the Left of Lansing "Friday Short" for April 10, 2026.

The Consumer Price Index rose by almost a full percentage point, making the annual inflation rise to 3.3%, the largest in a few years. 

Most of it is due to surging gas prices, thanks to The Trump Regime's and the Israeli right wing government's illegal war on Iran. 

Combine this with the harm and damage The Regime, and its MAGA Republican Congress, have perpetrated on the working class with the so-called "Big Beautiful Bill," and Trump's insane tariffs, it's no wonder working class voters are irate and demanding drastic changes to shift the scale away from The Epstein Class, and back towards the working class. 

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

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NOTES: