Left Of Lansing

Here's the Left of Lansing Friday Short for August 2, 2024. It's another week where MAGA Republicans' fake populism stance stood exposed once again. Michigan MAGA Republicans are outraged over a State Supreme Court ruling that Republicans acted unconstitutionally in blocking and watering-down minimum wage increase and earned paid sick leave ballot proposals in 2018.  This means hundreds of thousands of Michigan workers will now earn more of a living wage, and earn time to care for themselves or sick loved ones.  This also means Michigan MAGA Republicans are fired-up, not for the workers, but in trying to find ways to stop what the people wanted in the first place! Combine that news with the news of U.S. Senate MAGA Republicans blocking the expansion of the Child Tax Credit, and you've got more examples of how MAGA Republicans don't care about the economic well-being of hard-working Americans.  Please, subscribe to the podcast, download each episode, and give it a good review if you can! leftoflansing@g

Here's Episode 96 of Michigan's Premier Progressive Podcast! 00:00-20:56: Why Not Whitmer for Vice President? While she has steadfastly refused to be Vice President Kamala Harris' own pick for VP, some of us wonder, "Why Not Whitmer?" Michigan Advance's Editor-in-Chief, Susan Demas, joins the first segment to discuss how and why Michigan Governor Whitmer would be such an asset for the Democratic ticket this Fall. We also cover some of Whitmer's liabilities as well. But ultimately, Susan and Pat believe Governor Whitmer's experiences, and progressive resume, are something Democrats can learn from across the country. 20:57-39:40: MAGA & Tech Fascism w/ Jared Yates Sexton Writer and podcast Jared Yates Sexton wrote an important piece on the marriage between MAGA and Tech Fascism on his Dispatches From a Collapsing State" substack page. Jared's also part of the Muckrake Political Podcast, which helps bring a little order to these crazy political times. Pat and Jared talk about how the tech oligarchs, like

Here's the Left of Lansing Monday Musing for July 29th, 2024. A recent WDIV-TV/Detroit News poll reveals that Michigan voters are split on Dear Leader Trump's plans to deport 11-million immigrants. However, when asked if voters support a secure border AND a pathway to citizenship for those who've committed no crimes in the country, over 70% of Michiganders agreed!!! Which goes to show that progressives, independents, and also some Republican voters are refusing to go along with the MAGA White Christian Nationalist hate-filled anti-immigration rhetoric, or so-called solutions.  Please, subscribe to the podcast, download each episode, and give it a good review if you can! leftoflansing@gmail.com Left of Lansing is now on YouTube as well! leftoflansing.com NOTES: "Michigan Dems reintroduce legislation allowing driver licenses regardless of immigration status." By Jon King of Michigan Advance "Michigan lawmakers want undocumented immigrants to be able to get driver's license, ID." By Arpan Lobo of The D

Here's Episode 95 of Michigan's Premier Progressive Podcast! 00:00-14:21: Rally Against Project 2025/Biden Steps Down//Matt Maddock Extremism Pat opens the show this week by talking about the Rally Against Project 2025 event happening across the state of Michigan on Saturday, July 27th. It's put-together by our good, progressive fans from Distill Social!  Pat also talks about President Joe Biden's decision to step aside, and pass the torch to Vice President Kamala Harris in the Presidential election. Pat notes how he correctly predicted a new candidate would inject a jolt of enthusiasm and hope into the Democratic Party base. Then, Pat reviews the extreme MAGA record of Michigan Republican State Rep. Matt Maddock. 14:22-41:35: Interview w/ Sarah May-Seward Sarah May-Seward is running to become the Democratic candidate for the 51st House District in Michigan, which is currently held by MAGA Republican Matt Maddock. Sarah shares her bio, her campaign priorities, her years working in the service industry, w

Here's the Left of Lansing Monday Musing for July 22, 2024. President Joe Biden made his decision to drop-out of the race, and endorse Vice President Kamala Harris to be the Democratic nominee.  And as I suspected, with Biden doing the honorable thing, a new jolt of energy is reverberating across the Democratic Party voting base. It also allows us to stop the infighting, and turn our focus on Dear Leader Trump and his Maga minions.  Please, subscribe to the podcast, download each episode, and give it a good review if you can! leftoflansing@gmail.com Left of Lansing is now on YouTube as well! leftoflansing.com NOTES: "Live updates: Harris, Democrats net $100 million in online donations after Biden exits race." By CNBC "Govs. Whitmer, Pritzker, Walz and Evers endorse Harris for president." By Jon King of Michigan Advance "Former Democratic presidential candidate endorses Whitmer for VP." By Andrew Roth of Michigan Advance

Here's the Friday Short for July 19, 2024! Many Biden supporters argue that Democrats can't ask him to step aside, and they risk replaying the 1968 Democratic Convention, in which the eventual nominee, Hubert Humphrey, lost to Republican Richard Nixon. But I feel like we're forgetting the events leading to the '68 convention, and other reasons why it didn't help Democrats that year. However, it had nothing to do with Lyndon Johnson stepping aside. Please, subscribe to the podcast, download each episode, and give it a good review if you can! leftoflansing@gmail.com Left of Lansing is now on YouTube as well! leftoflansing.com

Here's Episode 94 of Michigan's Premier Progressive Podcast! 00:00-14:36: Trump Shooting/MAGA Violence/Neil Friske Pat opens the show talking about the assassination attempt on former President Trump, and how MAGA Republicans (with the help from corporate media) are trying to blame the Left for the shooting. It's an absurd attack considering how MAGA extremists have been using violent and threatening rhetoric for years. And in many cases, have engaged in political violence in Michigan, and across the nation. 15:24-40:51: Democratic State House Candidate Jodi Decker Pat talks with Democratic Candidate Jodi Decker of the 107th House District, which is currently being represented by MAGA extremist Neil Friske. He was recently arrested for allegedly getting into an altercation with an adult entertainer, and a gun may have been involved as well. Well, Jodi doesn't want to bring that kind of shame to her district. Instead, she wants to be an advocate for families, and to give families a voice. She also wants to

Here's the Monday Musing for July 15, 2024. In the wake of the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump, the MAGA movement is hoping it can be used to squash any kinds of dissent against the MAGA movement.  And it's hoping the corporate media will play a key role in making sure Democrats stay in line, and shut-up.  Please, subscribe to the podcast, download each episode, and give it a good review if you can! leftoflansing@gmail.com Left of Lansing is now on YouTube as well! leftoflansing.com NOTES:  MAGA Michigan Republican Congresswoman Lisa McClain's tweet blaming assassination attempt on the "radical left." MAGA Georgia Republican Congressman Mike Collins' disgusting tweet. MAGA Ohio Senator J.D. Vance tweet. "‘Tyrants Get The Rope’: Small anti-Whitmer protest rocks Capitol, reporter hit by gun." By Anna Liz Nichols of Michigan Advance Brian Stelter tweet on Morning Joe not airing on MSNBC today.

Here's the Left of Lansing "Friday Short" for July 12, 2024. Yes, I've said my piece when it comes to what I believe President Biden should do this election. I think he should step aside to help the Democrats win. If I'm wrong, and Biden and the Democrats win big this November, then I'll be the first one to admit I was wrong. And, I'll celebrate being wrong! That being said, while the corporate media frenzy is on Biden since the June debate, Trump is getting a free ride despite being surrounded by Project 2025 authors, hosting an authoritarian leader who believes in eugenics, and for suffering from his own diminishing cognitive abilities.  Why isn't the corporate media demanding Trump to hold an hour-long press conference? There's an answer to that question. Please, subscribe to the podcast, download each episode, and give it a good review if you can! leftoflansing@gmail.com Left of Lansing is now on YouTube as well! leftoflansing.com

Here's Episode 93 of Michigan's premier progressive podcast! 00:00-17:10: Pat's talks about the debate within Michigan's Democratic Party on whether or not President Joe Biden should step aside in the 2024 campaign. He repeats his take that Biden should step aside for the good of democracy. If he doesn't, he hopes Joe proves him wrong! But what Pat really wants the most is for Democrats to go on offense this election! They can do that by using Governor Whitmer's role in the Biden-Harris campaign to illustrate how Michigan Democrats have controlled the narrative by passing many popular policies that voters like! And talk more about the right-wing Christian Nationalist "Project 2025" wishlist if Trump gets back into power. 17:43-40:13: Pat's interview with Democratic State Representative Carrie Rheingans from the 47th House District, which contains parts of Ann Arbor in Washtenaw County to the eastern parts of Jackson County. They talk about her unique district, and how growing-up in rural Michigan helps her

Here's the Monday Musing for July 8, 2024 During the July 4th holiday weekend, right-wing MAGA Michigan Republican Congresswoman Lisa McClain tweeted a horrible video where she blasted local Democrats for driving a Subaru during a parade in Clarkston. She exclaimed how this proves that unlike Dear Leader Trump, Joe Biden and Kamala Harris don't support UAW workers. It's such an astounding and ludicrous statement to make considering the UAW did NOT endorse Trump, but instead endorsed Biden-Harris! Why? Because unlike hypocrites like Trump and Lisa McClain who work on behalf of their corporate masters, progressives actually fight for workers' rights and unions. Because, we believe a stronger and more vibrant workforce lifts all boats.  Please, subscribe to the podcast, download each episode, and give it a good review if you can! leftoflansing@gmail.com Left of Lansing is now on YouTube as well! leftoflansing.com

Here's the Left of Lansing Monday Musing for July 1, 2024. Just days before we celebrate our independence from monarchy, the MAGA majority on the Supreme Court ruled that presidents are kings! In a 6-3 ruling, the MAGA majority wrote that presidents are immune from laws if they are "official" acts, whereas they are not immune from "unofficial" acts.  They believe any actions Dear Leader Trump took on January 6th were official acts, including insisting his followers to storm the Capitol building to obstruct the certification of the 2020 election.  But what is an "official" act compared to an "unofficial" act? Have no fear.  The courts will decide all that for you! Feeling good today? I'm not.  leftoflansing@gmail.com Left of Lansing is now on YouTube as well! leftoflansing.com NOTES: "Presidential immunity extends to some official acts, Supreme Court rules in Trump case." By Ashley Murray and Jacob Fischler of States' Newsroom (via Michigan Advance) Rolling Stone political writer Nikki McCann Rami

Here's the Left of Lansing "Friday Short" for June 28, 2024 In what has been a rather bleak news for progressives and Democrats this week, there's been some good news on abortion rights in Michigan this week. Proving, once again, that Michigan believes in the economic and health care freedoms of women. After a Court of Claims ruling that Michigan's 24-hour waiting period for abortion care was unconstitutional, the ACLU of Michigan filed a lawsuit claiming the state's ban on Medicaid funding for abortions is also unconstitutional.  And it is unconstitutional! So, in a week of depressing political news, here's another example of Michigan showing the way towards freedom! Please, subscribe to the podcast, download each episode, and give it a good review if you can! leftoflansing@gmail.com Left of Lansing is now on YouTube as well! leftoflansing.com

Here's Episode 92 of Michigan's premier progressive podcast! Nitish Pahwa is Slate's associate writer for business and tech, and he's a native Michigander. He grew-up around Lansing, and remembered what the political scene was like just a decade ago when MAGA Republicans had complete control of state government. That's why he's surprised to see how fast things changed as not only are Democrats in control of the state trifecta, but he's taking note how the center of Michigan's political influence resides in Lansing. We talk about his article in Slate describing that shift, and why the Lansing area will play key roles in both state and national politics this November.  In my opening segment, I've got some follow-up on MAGA Republican state Representative Neil Friske's wild and crazy night with guns and strippers, allegedly. Friske's still under investigation and hasn't been charged with crimes, yet, but like all MAGA Republicans, he refuses to accept any responsibility for his actions. Even more, like many MA

A recent Bridge Michigan article highlighted where red flag laws, which Michigan Democrats passed into law last year, didn't stop the horrific mass shooting at a Rochester Hills splash pad in Oakland County, MI. However, the law's already been used over 100 times since its passage, and if it saved one life, then the law's working as Michigan Democrats intended.  No law is a panacea, and not every gun safety law will save every life.  But that's still a hell of a lot better than MAGA Republicans, who'll do everything in their power to give more rights to the gun than to women's economic and reproductive health.  Please, subscribe to the podcast, download each episode, and give it a good review if you can! leftoflansing@gmail.com Left of Lansing is now on YouTube as well! leftoflansing.com

Here's the Left of Lansing Friday Short for June 21, 2024. MAGA Republican state Representative Neil Friske of Charlevoix got arrested this week for allegedly chasing a worker at the Deja Vu strip club in Lansing with a gun. No formal charges have been levied yet, but police are requesting three felony charges against Friske, including sexual assault, assault, and a weapons-related offense.  Friske is now part of the MAGA crime wave that's spreading throughout Michigan, and the United States. But it's also no surprise how Friske allegedly turned to violence against a female worker since he's shown nothing but contempt for women in his political career. But make no mistake: resorting to violence is always the MAGA way.  Please, subscribe to the podcast, download each episode, and give it a good review if you can! leftoflansing@gmail.com Left of Lansing is now on YouTube as well! leftoflansing.com

Here's Episode 91 of Michigan's premier progressive podcast! 00:00-16:12--Pat congratulates Michigan Democratic Attorney General Dana Nessel on a major court victory for those fighting to shut down the Line 5 oil pipeline at the bottom of the Straits of Mackinac. Nessel successfully argued to have the case sent back to the state, giving Line 5 owner, Enbridge, a major setback as it tried to have the case heard in federal court. Here's the thing: it's a states' rights issue! Also, failed MAGA Republican AG candidate, and the criminally indicted, Matt DePerno announces his run for the Michigan Supreme Court. It's a prerequisite nowadays for Republicans to be indicted in order to run for office! But criminal activity is part of the MAGA game as one of Dear Leader Trump's spiritual advisors admitted he molested a 12-year old girl. It doesn't matter to MAGA, though, because gaining complete power is what they crave to enact their MAGA White Christian Nationalist "Project 2025" agenda. 16:42-35:22-- Michigan Demo

Here's the Left of Lansing "Monday Musing" for June 17, 2024 The right-wing White Christian Nationalist activist group Turning Points USA showed-up in Detroit last weekend to spread its hateful and dangerous message to its followers.  Its leader, millennial wonderboy Charlie Kirk, is becoming the new face of right-wing extremism. But if he and his people are able to capture just a fraction of long-time Democratic voters, then the country is in deep trouble this November.  Please, subscribe to the podcast, download each episode, and give it a good review if you can! leftoflansing@gmail.com Left of Lansing is now on YouTube as well! leftoflansing.com NOTES: North Dakota Republican Governor Kristi Noem's "call to arms" speech during Turning Points USA speech in Detroit. "Charlie Kirk once pushed a 'secular worldview.' Now he's fighting to make America Christian again." By Mike Hixenbaugh and Allan Smith of NBC News

Here's the Left of Lansing "Friday Short" for June 14, 2024 A recent Wallethub survey revealed that Ohio has one of the worst state economies, ranking 42nd in the country which is the 10th worst state! Michigan, meanwhile, is ranks 19th. That far surpasses both Ohio, and Indiana, which ranks 39th.  One would think the further Ohio's government continues to travel down the weird, right-wing MAGA Republican rabbit hole, the better things would most certainly guess! I hope you're getting my sarcasm. Enjoy! Please, subscribe to the podcast, download each episode, and give it a good review if you can! leftoflansing@gmail.com Left of Lansing is now on YouTube as well! leftoflansing.com NOTES: "Ohio has one of the worst economies in the US, according to recent study." By Mariyam Muhammad of The Columbus Dispatch "Best & Worst State Economies (2024). By Adam McCann of Wallethub.com "Editorial: Ohio economy falling." By The Blade editorial staff Proposal by Michigan Democratic state Reps. Wegela and

It's Episode 90 of Michigan's premier progressive podcast! On this week's show, Pat speaks with Danielle Atkinson, executive director and founder of Mothering Justice, which is an organization working to empower mothers of color through public policy. Mothering Justice is part of a coalition demanding the Democratic majority in the Michigan legislature to vote on paid family leave bills--bills that have yet to receive a hearing even though they were introduced last year! This is a beautiful chance for Democrats to demonstrate how they truly care about the working class, not to mention how passing paid family leave would help them retain their slim majority in Lansing!  Before Danielle joins this week's show, Pat spends the first segment talking about the continued improving economy, and why Biden and the Democrats should celebrate the good news of cooling inflation and corporations scaling-back on their rampant greedflation. It's not to say the economy is perfect. It's not, and millions of working people ne