Episodios

  • 332: Data Center Rush in Michigan w/ Bridge Michigan's Kelly House

    332: Data Center Rush in Michigan w/ Bridge Michigan's Kelly House
    Nov 20 2025
    #podcast #politics #progressives #Michigan #Democrats #Republicans #MAGA #Trump #DataCenter #Environment #CorporateSubsidies #ArtificialIntelligence #CorporateGreed #CorporateCorruption #GovernmentCorruption #Economy #Jobs #WorkingClass #Tariffs #Authoritarianism #Democracy #LeftofLansing #BigTech

    Here's Episode #157 Michigan's Premier Progressive Podcast!

    00:00-17:00: Trump Affordability Fail/Dividing Working Class

    Left of Lansing's Pat Johnston points-out the rising grocery prices, rising inflation, and dropping jobs numbers happening during the Trump Regime's first year. Affordability is at the top of voters' minds and concerns. So, it's no wonder why Trump suddenly reversed some of his inflationary tariffs on several grocery items. Pat also brings up the different ways some MAGA grifters drive to divide working class.

    17:01-38:00: Bridge Michigan's Kelly House Interview

    Bridge Michigan's environmental reporter, Kelly House, joins the show to discuss this sudden rush for data centers in Michigan. Ms. House talks about the controversy over a huge A.I. data center in Saline Township, MI, and how Michigan's state legislature helped make it possible to bring these data centers to the state. She also talks about the tax benefits for local communities, but the major environmental concerns these data centers bring with them. Check-out Kelly House's page at Bridge Michigan to read-up on all of her data center stories, and other environmental stories across the state.

    38:28-44:10: Last Call on Data Center Fears

    Pat adds his two-cents on this data center rush in Michigan, and why working class Michiganders are worried about what this means for their communities and their state.

    44:11-46:17: Ending

    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: "Data centers eyed in at least 10 Michigan towns. How they might change state." By Kelly House of Bridge Michigan "Tensions mount as data centers eye ‘sleepy’ Michigan farm towns." By Kelly House of Bridge Michigan "Michigan utility panel announces hearing on DTE plan to power AI data center." By Arpan Lobo of The Detroit Free Press "If You Thought Data Centers Were Bad, Wait Until You See How DTE Is Using One to FU*K Over Michigan." By Distill Social "GOP lawmakers try again to preempt state enforcement of AI laws." By Keely Quinlan of State Scoop "Benson’s husband to recuse from state work on controversial data center if she is elected governor." By Ben Solis of Michigan Advance "How racist provocateur Jake Lang tried to manufacture chaos in Dearborn." By Steve Neavling of Detroit Metro Times
    Photo of Saline Township, MI farm courtesy of Joel Kurth/Bridge Michigan
    Más Menos
    46 m
  • 331: Monday Musing: Epstein Scandal Exposes Entire Oligarchy

    331: Monday Musing: Epstein Scandal Exposes Entire Oligarchy
    Nov 17 2025
    #podcast #politics #MondayMusing #Michigan #progressives #Democrats #MAGA #Trump #Republicans #JeffreyEpstein #EpsteinFiles #CorporateGreed #CorporateCorruption #GovernmentCorruption #Oligarchy #workingclass #Authoritarianism #Democracy #LeftOfLansing

    Here's the Left of Lansing "Monday Musing" for November 17, 2025.

    Left of Lansing's Pat Johnston explains why Dear Leader Donald Trump REALLY wanted to block the release of the Jeffrey Epstein files.

    It's because those files will expose how the late financier and child sex trafficker was the ring leader for powerful men who viewed themselves not only above the law, but above everyone else.

    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
    Más Menos
    4 m
  • 330: Livingston County Progressive Kasey Helton On Data Centers, Rank MI Vote, and Caving Democrats

    330: Livingston County Progressive Kasey Helton On Data Centers, Rank MI Vote, and Caving Democrats
    Nov 13 2025
    #podcast #politics #progressive #Democrats #Michigan #DirtRoadDems #MAGA #Republican #Trump #CorporateGreed #CorporateCorruption #GovermentCorruption #LivingtonCounty #DataCenters #BigTech #MikeRogers #GovernmentShutdown #WorkingClass #TrumpCorruption #KaseyHelton #Authoritarianism #Democracy #RCV #Democracy #LeftofLansing

    Here's Episode #156 of Michigan's Premier Progressive Podcast!

    00:00-15:07: Senate Dems Cave/Epstein

    Left of Lansing's Pat Johnston shares, or better yet, VENTS, his endless frustrations on the Democratic Party Leadership's constant caving to The Trump Regime. This time, it's Senate Democrats voting to end the MAGA Republican Government Shutdown while leaving millions without affordable health care. And, more Jeffrey Epstein emails surfaced showing a deeper insight between the child sex trafficker's friendly relationship with Trump.

    15:08-38:41: Kasey Helton Interview

    Livingston County progressive activist Kasey Helton joins the show to share her frustrations on the national Democratic Party leadership's decision to cave to the Trump Regime on the government shutdown. Kasey also talks about the controversy over a proposed data center in her neck of the woods around Howell Twp., and her involvement in the Ranked MI Vote ballot proposal.

    38:42-44:08: Last Call-Mike Rogers Is Clown

    In the "Last Call," MAGA Michigan Republican Senate candidate, "Florida" Mike Rogers, is now blaming unsubstantiated claims of "voter fraud" for his loss to Democrat Elissa Slotkin in their U.S. Senate race in 2024.

    43:01-46:17: Ending/Skubal

    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:
    Kasey Helton Instagram Video on Proposed Data Center in Howell Twp.

    "Howell Township data center: What’s the rush?" By Maria Stuart in Livingston Post "LETTER: We shouldn’t support data center without developer meeting these conditions." In Livingston Post "US Senate advances bill to end record-breaking government shutdown." By Ashley Murray of Michigan Advance "Democrats who voted to end federal shutdown had defensible reasons | Opinion" By John Lindstrom of The Detroit Free Press "Michigan Democrats rebuff Rogers’ evidence-free claim that the 2024 election was also stolen." By Ben Solis of Michigan Advance "New Trump administration rule would override state medical debt protections." By Anna Claire Vollers in Ohio Capital Journal
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    46 m
  • 329: Monday Musing: Tired Yet of Constant Democratic Party Capitulating?

    329: Monday Musing: Tired Yet of Constant Democratic Party Capitulating?
    Nov 10 2025
    #podcast #politics #Progressives #populism #WorkingClass #GovernmentShutdown #ChuckSchumer #ElissaSlotkin #Democrats #CorporateDemocrats #ACA #CorporateGreed #CorporateCorruption #GovernmentCorruption #Authoritarianism #Michigan #Mamdani #Spanberger #Democracy #LeftOfLansing

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

    Democrats in the U.S. Senate have decided to cave and capitulate to The Trump Regime, and the MAGA Republican Congressional majority, by voting to end the MAGA Republican Government Shutdown.

    These 7 Democratic Senators, and one independent Senator, undercut the moral high ground on the government shutdown since The Trump Regime and MAGA Republicans in Congress refused to extend Obamacare subsidies.

    This latest capitulation must serve as a reminder that as much as we must oppose the authoritarian takeover of The Trump Regime, we must oppose and throw-out those in the Democratic Party who believe capitulation is the only way to deal with corporate autocracy.

    Capitulation is never an answer.

    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:

    "US Senate advances bill to end record-breaking government shutdown." By Ashley Murray of Michigan Advance "Democrats Kill Hope (Again)." By Oliver Willis in Oliver Willis Explains
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    8 m
  • 328: Friday Short: Lisa McClain Violates Stock Law Twice

    328: Friday Short: Lisa McClain Violates Stock Law Twice
    Nov 7 2025
    #podcast #progressive #politics #Democrats #Michigan #Trump #MAGA #Republicans #CorporateGreed #CorporateCorruption #GovernmentCorruption #LisaMcClain #PeterTheil #Oligarchy #SNAP #GovernmentShutdown #WorkingClass #Mamdani #Populism #Authoritarians #Democracy #LeftOfLansing

    Here's the Left of Lansing "Friday Short" for November 7, 2025.

    MAGA Michigan Republican Congresswoman Lisa McClain of the 9th Congressional District in the Thumb Region, admitted this week that she violated the Stock Act for the second time this year.

    It seems McClain was late to disclose the large sums of money she and her husband made by placing large stock purchases on Palantir Technologies, which is co-founded by billionaire MAGA tech bro Peter Theil.

    Seems interesting that while McClain is earning huge sums of cash thanks to her Government position, she's also joining MAGA Republicans in shutting down the government to hurt working class Americans.

    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’s McClain tells congressional clerk that she will avoid violating STOCK Act in the future." By Ben Solis of Michigan Advance
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    6 m
  • 327: Democrats Win Elections Using Populist & Anti-Authoritarian Messages

    327: Democrats Win Elections Using Populist & Anti-Authoritarian Messages
    Nov 6 2025
    #podcast #politics #Progressives #Michigan #Elections #Democrats #MAGA #Republicans #Trump #WorkingClass #Mamdani #MarySheffield #NewYork #Populism #Immigration #DemocraticSocialism #Authoritarianism #CorporateGreed #CorporateCorruption #GovernmentCorruption #Oligarchy #GretchenWhitmer #Democracy #LeftOfLansing

    00:00-18:17: Democrats Win/Detroit's New Mayor/DSA Member on City Council

    Pat Johnston begins by talking about the Democratic electoral victories in Michigan, and across the nation. He covers how populism and anti-authoritarianism seemed to be the winning messages in New Jersey, Virginia, Detroit, and New York City. Mary Sheffield becomes the first woman to become a Detroit Mayor, and she did it by promising to focus more on Detroit's neighborhoods instead of just its Downtown. Democratic Socialist Denzel McCampbell earned a seat on the Detroit City Council.

    18:18-35:50: Why Mamdani Won NYC & Democratic Base

    Pat spends the second segment giving his takes on why Zohran Mamdani not only won big in New York City's mayoral race, but how he's won the hearts of progressive Democratic base voters across the country. Populism was a major victor in these elections as Democratic Socialists or moderate Democrats talked about building up the working class. For some reason, some Democratic Party establishment figures, like Michigan Congresswoman and U.S. Senate candidate, Haley Stevens, didn't seem to get that memo.

    35:51-44:02: Last Call--Dick Cheney Death

    In this week's "Last Call," Pat shares his honest thoughts on former Vice President Dick Cheney, who passed away at the age of 84 years old this week.

    44:03-46:48: Ending

    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:

    "Mary Sheffield wins big, becomes Detroit’s first woman mayor." By Steve Nealing of Detroit Metro Times "Mary Sheffield makes history: Detroit elects first woman mayor." By Ben Solis of Michigan Advance "How Zohran Beat the Billionaires." By Eric Blanc of Labor Politics "Denzel McCampbell wins District 7 seat." By Russ McNamara of WDET "Michigan lawmakers Carter, Whitsett get bounced in Detroit races in favor of progressives." By Ben Solis of Michigan Advance "The Blue Wave Finally Arrives." By Distill Social "Why Mamdani and other Democrats won: Voters’ finances are even worse now than when Trump won in 2024." By Andrew Keshner of Marketwatch Off The Record w/ Tim Skubick featuring Michigan Democratic Congresswoman Haley Stevens via WKAR
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    47 m
  • 326: Monday Musing: Michigan MAGA Tom Barrett Freaks-Out Over Chalk, Not Struggling Families

    326: Monday Musing: Michigan MAGA Tom Barrett Freaks-Out Over Chalk, Not Struggling Families
    Nov 3 2025
    #podcast #politics #Progressive #Democrats #MAGA #Trump #Republicans #TomBarrett #WilliamLawrence #CorporateGreed #CorporateCorruption #GovernmentCorruption #Michigan #SNAP #Food #GovernmentShutdown #Authoritarianism #Democracy #WorkingClass #LeftOfLansing

    Here's the Left of Lansing "Monday Musing" for November 3, 2025.

    Michigan Progressive House candidate for the state's 7th Congressional District, William Lawrence, held a vigil and and food drive for his fellow working class citizens, who had their food benefits ended on November 1st, thanks to the MAGA Republican Government Shutdown.

    Current MAGA Congressman for the 7th District, Tom Barrett, refused to help-out during the vigil, and instead cried about "vandalism" after someone wrote some non-offensive words in chalk on his district office building in Lansing.

    While Barrett complains about chalk while rubber-stamping Dear Leader Trump's entire economic failings, over a million Michiganders--and over 40-million Americans--are in danger of losing their food benefits.

    We're in the new Gilded Age, but this time, it's backed by an authoritarian government.

    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: "Congressional candidate hosts food drive and vigil outside Rep. Tom Barrett’s Lansing office." By Katherine Dailey of Michigan Advance "Trump administration must restart SNAP benefits by Wednesday, judge rules." By Jane Norman of Michigan Advance "Food assistance for 1.4M in limbo: 'I never thought America would be this.'" By Nushrat Rahman, Beki San Martin, Clara Hendrickson, and Todd Spangler of The Detroit Free Press
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    4 m
  • 325: Friday Short: Michigan MAGA Congressmen Earn Big Bucks From Tax Bill They Backed

    325: Friday Short: Michigan MAGA Congressmen Earn Big Bucks From Tax Bill They Backed
    Oct 31 2025
    #podcast #politics #progressive #Democrats #Republicans #MAGA #Trump #BigBeautifulBill #CorporateGreed #CorporateCorruption #GovernmentCorruption #TaxBreaks #WorkingClass #Medicaid #SNAP #GovernmentShutdown #BillHuizenga #JohnJames #Michigan #Authoritarianism #Democracy #LeftOfLansing

    Here's the Left of Lansing "Friday Short" for October 31, 2025.

    Thanks to an excellent write-up by the progressive independent news source in Michigan known as Distill Social, we've learned how two MAGA Michigan Republican congressmen are making a nice sum of money thanks to the tax cut bill they supported last summer.

    Research by the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy reveals that Rep. Bill Huizenga will get around $50,000 dollars in tax breaks next year. AND, Rep. John James, who's also running to become Michigan's next governor, will rake-in around $12-grand next year as well.

    Meanwhile, that same bill slashed Medicaid funding, SNAP funding, and clean energy job funding. Along with the MAGA Republican Government Shutdown they are supporting, Bill Huizenga and John James are the illustration of corporate and government greed.

    They are getting richer while the working class gets bilked.

    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:

    "How Two Michigan Republicans Cash In While Their Districts Get Cut Off." By Distill Social "Some Members of Congress Will Cash in from New Tax Law." By Jessica Vela of the Institution on Taxation and Economic Policy "Americans blame Trump and GOP more than Democrats for shutdown, poll finds." By Jacob Bogage, Riley Beggin, and Scott Clement of The Washington Post
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    5 m