#Podcast #Michigan #Politics #MichiganPolitics #Progressives #News #Democrats #CorporateGreed #CorporateCorruption #WorkingClass #Teachers #CorporateWelfare #Whitmer

Here's the Left of Lansing "Friday Short" for November 15, 2024!

The Michigan Democratic House majority only has a little time left to pass some good legislation in the lame duck session before the MAGA Republicans gain control at the New Year. 

But the Democratic leadership seems mired to its old ways of ensuring that they pass corporate subsidies and corporate welfare bills, first and foremost. Meanwhile, many progressive members of the caucus are urging the leadership to pass bills that put the working class first. 

It's like the Michigan Democratic Party leadership is ignoring what the voters were telling them just a week ago: Stop handing out wasteful and failing corporate welfare, and reinvest in the people!

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NOTES:

"GM to lay off roughly 1,000 people globally with majority working out of Warren." By Kalea Hall of The Detroit News

"Democrats have a few weeks to finish economic policies. Businesses are wary." By Paula Gardner of Bridge Michigan

"Corporate subsidies cost Michigan $335M; 40% of deals create low-paying jobs." By Paula Gardner of Bridge Michigan

"Controversial bills changing who issues permits for gravel mines pulled from consideration for now." By Tracy Samilton of Michigan Public Radio

"Lawmaker Wants 10 Percent Corporate Income Tax to Give Teachers $20K Raise." By MIRS

Michigan Democratic State Rep. Betsy Coffia tweet on mining bills.

#Podcast #Politics #PoliticalNews #Michigan #Democrats #MAGA #Republicans #LeftOfLansing #Election2024 #WorkingClass #Economy #CorporateGreed #CorporateCorruption #DirtroadDems

Here's Episode 111 of Michigan's Premier Progressive Podcast!

00:00-15:36: Democrats Losing Working Class

In the opening segment, Pat Johnston talks about how Democrats are losing the working class, and why it's unconscionable since Trump & MAGA's policies help only the rich, corporate donor class. Pat highlights how one progressive Michigan Democratic State House Representative won reelection in a rural area by running as a real, working class Democrat. 

15:37-39:03: Kasey Helton Interview

Progressive Livingston County activist and influencer, Kasey Helton, gives her assessment on how Democrats must learn to get back in touch with the working class. She talks about how constant mixed messages from national Democrats ended-up hurting them in this election.

Watch Kasey's Facebook Live video on where and how Democrats went wrong in this election.

39:04-42:20: Last Call Letter

Pat shares a listener email, which lifted his spirits after a very rough post-election week.

42:21- 44:47: Ending

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

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Left of Lansing is now on YouTube as well!
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NOTES: 

"Auchter's Art: We never left." Via Michigan Public Radio

"Rural voters drove Michigan’s record turnout and helped hand Trump victory." By Dustin Dwyer and Adam Yahya Reyes of Michigan Public Radio

"Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer says she's looking for 'shared priorities' with Trump." By Craig Mauger of The Detroit News

#Politics #News #Election2024 #Democrats #Michigan #Progressives #Media #CorporateMedia #Podcast

Here's the Left of Lansing "Monday Musing" for November 11, 2024.

There are many reasons as to what led to the Democratic Party's demise in the election. Many of which are being discussed everywhere with many people pointing the fingers at each other.

But Pat believes there's one reason for Trump's victory, and it's a reason everyone can agree on: Disinformation.

It's a problem. Now, all we have to do is find a way to solve it. 

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

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Left of Lansing is now on YouTube as well!

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NOTES:


"2024’s other big loser? The mainstream media. Is there any path forward?" By Will Bunch of The Philadelphia Inquirer

"America's political discordance: The Trump voters who want progressivism." By Amanda Marcotte of Salon

"We’ve lost our shared reality. That can have deadly consequences." By Susan J. Demas of Michigan Advance

Here's the Left of Lansing "Friday Short" for November 8, 2024

Democrats are busy picking-up the pieces after getting trounced in this presidential election year, and that includes Michigan Democrats losing their majority in the state House. 

While there's much to be said about how and why we got here, the Democratic majority in Lansing still has six weeks to pass important laws in the lame duck session.

Pat lists-off those laws which must pass because not only will those laws help the state, but we're not sure when Democrats will have this chance again.

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

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Left of Lansing is now on YouTube as well!

leftoflansing.com

#Election2024 #Politcs #Progressives #Michigan #Republicans #Democrats

Here's Episode 110 of Michigan's Premier Progressive Podcast.

Pat gives his insights into America choosing four more years of Donald Trump and MAGA politics, and Michiganders giving the state House majority to MAGA Republicans as well.

Where do progressives and the Democratic Party go from here? Pat shares thoughts.

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

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Left of Lansing is now on YouTube as well!

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Here's the Left of Lansing "Monday Musing" for November 4, 2024.

The final "Monday Musing" before Election Day 2024.

Pat explains why he's voting for Harris. Not only is Harris pushing a progressive domestic agenda (which includes abortion rights, manufacturing here at home, in-home care for seniors), but she's fighting to preserve democracy and decency. 

It's really a slam-dunk kind of a case that doesn't have to be made. 

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

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#Election2024

Here's the Left of Lansing "Friday Short" for November 1, 2024.

The final EPIC-MRA-Detroit Free Press poll shows Kamala Harris leading Trump by three-percentage points. 

Harris has seen improved numbers within the African American community, and with women voters, in general. 

Meanwhile, Democrat Elissa Slotkin has opened-up a 5% lead over MAGA Republican "Florida" Mike Rogers for Michigan's U.S. Senate race. 

If these numbers are true, then Democrats could have a very good night in Michigan.

But there's only one way to know for sure, and that is voting!

Visit MichiganVoting.org for additional voting information.

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!

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NOTES:

"Kamala Harris leads Donald Trump in Michigan by 3 points in final Detroit Free Press poll." By Todd Spangler of The Detroit Free Press

"Rubin: How many trans girl athletes does it take to spark campaign ads?" Neal Rubin of The Detroit Free Press

Here's Episode 109 of Michigan's Premier Progressive Podcast!

00:00-21:06: Democracy vs. Fascism 

 We're just a few days away from the biggest and most consequential election since Abraham Lincoln's victory in 1860. It's amazing how the United States is close to installing a true fascist movement into the White House. But Pat gives some optimism and puts his faith in the American people to do the right thing, and trounce Dear Leader Trump and his White Christian Nationalist MAGA cult which is bankrolled by billionaire donors. Pat refuses to downplay the threat Trump and MAGA are to this country, unlike Ana Kasparian on The Young Turks. This election is about saving democracy while finding solutions to help hard-working Americans gain opportunities to better their lives. It's about The People vs. The Billionaires. It's about Sanity and Normalcy vs. Insanity and Corruption. It's about Freedom vs. the fascist Christian Nationalist "Project 2025" playbook. It's about the future. 

21:07-38:13: Keep Michigan House Blue!

 Pat explains how important down-ballot races for the power of the Michigan State House are in this election. Democrats have a slim two-seat majority, and are not only hoping to keep the gavel, but are hoping to increase their majority. Pat highlights how two strong progressive Democratic State Reps (Emily Dievendorf and Betsy Coffia) worked to improve the lives of thousands in their districts during the last two years, and why it's imperative that they are reelected. He also highlights two young progressive Democrats (Sarah May-Seward and Austin Marsman) are trying to unseat two extreme MAGA state reps in less than a week. Keeping the state legislature Blue is just as important as the presidential race! 

38:14-43:40: Corporate Media Failed

Pat spends his "Last Call" covering how hundreds of thousands of Americans canceled their subscriptions to The Washington Post and L.A. Times after both papers refused to endorse a presidential race. These papers, like many legacy media outlets, are owned by billionaires, and these billionaires are fine with a little fascism just as long as they become more powerful. But the people are fighting back against the billionaire class, and moving beyond the failed corporate legacy media.

43:41-45:53: Ending

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

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"Workers Say They Were Tricked and Threatened as Part of Elon Musk’s Get-Out-the-Vote Effort." By Jake Lahut of Wired.com

MAGA Fascist debate between TYT's Cenk Uygur and Ana Kasparian.

"State removes Rock River Township clerk, deputy clerk from election duties." By the TV 6 News Team

"How Many of Us Have to Die?" By Jessica Valenti in Abortion, Every Day

"More than 250,000 Washington Post readers cancel subscriptions in revolt over non-endorsement." By Liam Reilly of CNN

"Trombley, Coffia paint contrasting pictures for northern Michigan." By Izzy Ross and Ed Ranco of Michigan Advance

"Nessel, House LGBTQ+ Caucus warn that Trump and GOP endanger hard-fought rights." By Jon King of Michigan Advance

 "Polluter pay bills aim to give Michigan regulators more authority, tools for environmental cleanup." By Kyle Davidson of Michigan Advance

"Michigan bill could help keep homes, farmland in the family after a loved one's death." By Doug Tribio and Caoilinn Goss of Michigan Public Radio

"Ness-Smith challenging Dievendorf for District 77 seat." By WILX TV 10 in Lansing

Here's the Left Of Lansing "Monday Musing" for October 28, 2024!

Nearly 2-million Michiganders have already voted. As predicted, making it easier for people to vote is not only getting more people involved in our democracy or making it easier for county clerks across the state, but it's extremely popular!

Thanks to progressive activism in the last decade, and a Democratic Party majority in Lansing, voting rights in Michigan have expanded. Michigan has now broken voting turnouts in 2020 and 2022. 

These new voting laws are working as intended.

But remember, it could've always been this way had Michigan Republicans, like MAGA Republican U.S. Senate candidate "Florida" Mike Rogers, not worked tirelessly for years to make voting harder, especially for younger Michiganders.

Voting rights is also on the ballot! Remember who's fought for those rights, and who's fought against them. 

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!

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NOTES: 


"What’s not to love about early voting?" By Susan Demas of Michigan Advance

"Rogers says he didn’t violate voter registration law he helped to pass." By Jon King of Michigan Advance

Here's the Left of Lansing "Friday Short" for October 25, 2024.

As some polls suggest that Trump and MAGA Republicans are making some inroads with Generation Z men, Pat wonders what can be done to dissuade these young men from going down the White Christian Nationalist Dude-bro MAGA Republican path. 

Maybe it's what Paul Waldman writes this week when he says they will suffer from the same grift as many rural Americans suffered after throwing their hopes and dreams into Trump. 

They'll realize how he played into their dude-bro culture belief that "The Others" are to blame in society, and not how he and his billionaire friends enriched their lives and outcomes while the rest of us continued fighting with each other. 

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!

leftoflansing.com