Episodios

  • 285: Monday Musing: Trump Tariffs Hurt Michigan Again w/ Semiconductor Company's Reversal

    285: Monday Musing: Trump Tariffs Hurt Michigan Again w/ Semiconductor Company's Reversal
    Jul 21 2025
    #podcast #politics #Progressives #Democrats #Economy #WorkingClass #Tariffs #GovernmentCorruption #Trump #MAGA #Republicans #Genesee #CorporateWelfare #LeftOfLansing

    Here's the Left of Lansing "Monday Musing" for July 21, 2025.

    Sandisk Company's decision to reverse course on a planned semiconductor mega site in Genesee County's Mundy Twp. is another harsh example how Trump's tariff scheme hurts Michigan's economy.

    But it's not just Trump's tariff scheme that failed Michigan's working class. It's also Michigan's decades-long reliance on corporate welfare, and how it rarely results in a high number of good-paying jobs.

    This is what happens when two horrible economic theories collide, and the working class is caught in the middle.

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

    "Lawmakers respond as Sandisk pulls out of Mundy Township semiconductor project." By Kyle Davidson of Michigan Advance "Michigan loses massive semiconductor plant. Whitmer blames ‘national economic turmoil.’" By Paula Garnder of Bridge Michigan
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    4 m
  • 284: Friday Short: Corporate Handouts Lead To Corporate Corruption In Michigan's MEDC

    284: Friday Short: Corporate Handouts Lead To Corporate Corruption In Michigan's MEDC
    Jul 18 2025
    #podcast #politics #progressives #Democrats #Republicans #Michigan #MEDC #SOAR #MAGA #CorporateGreed #CorporateCorruption #GovernmentCorruption #WorkingClass #CorporateWelfare #Whitmer #RickSnyder #Jobs #Inequality

    Here's the Left of Lansing "Friday Short" for July 18, 2025.

    Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, a Democrat, opened a criminal investigation on the Michigan Economic Development Corporation's grant to Fay Beydoun's nonprofit business.

    Beydoun is a longtime Democratic Party donor, and an appointee to the MEDC by Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer. Beydoun allegedly used the grant money for her nonprofit, Global Link International, to pay for first class plane tickets, her $500k salary, and a $4,500 coffee maker!

    But as Pat Johnston explains, the MEDC was put-together to attract businesses and jobs in Michigan, but it has done neither. Even more, this so-called "public-private" entity faces little-to-no government oversight.

    And it's been championed by both Democratic & Republican governors. Something's got to change because someone's making it rich, and it's not 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:

    "Beydoun grant scandal could lead to needed state economic development reforms." By Rick Haglund of Michigan Advance "MEDC silent on whether it will seek appeal in search warrant battle over Beydoun grant." By Ben Solis of Michigan Advance
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    5 m
  • 283: Republican Cuts Michigan's Clean Energy Jobs w/ Frank Houston of BlueGreen Alliance

    283: Republican Cuts Michigan's Clean Energy Jobs w/ Frank Houston of BlueGreen Alliance
    Jul 17 2025
    #podcast #politics #progressives #Democrats #Michigan #MagaMurderBudget #Medicaid #RuralHospitals #Epstein #HaleyStevens #Republicans #ElissaSlotkin #JohnMoolenaar #CleanEnergy #TimWalberg #MAGA #CorporateGreed #CorporateCorruption #GovernmentGreed #Democracy #Fascism #FossilFuels #ClimateChange #Gaza #LeftOfLansing

    Here's Episode 142 of Michigan's Premier Progressive Podcast!

    00:00-17:17: Epstein/Haley Stevens/Schumer Failure
    Did you really believe MAGA Congressional Republicans would defy their Dear Leader Trump by releasing the Epstein investigation files? What is Haley Stevens' campaign angle in her run to become Michigan's Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate as she says Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer's doing a great job? How the MAGA Murder Budget could possibly cut three rural hospitals in Michigan.

    17:18-45:22: Frank Houston, BlueGreen Alliance Interview
    BlueGreen Alliance's Michigan Senior State Policy Manager, Frank Houston, talks about how the Trump-MAGA Republican budget bill will slash thousands of clean energy jobs in Michigan. And that will not only hurt the state's economy, but it'll harm the state's environmental future as well.

    45:23-50:00: Last Call-Slotkin Gaza Turn?
    Pat admittedly was caught off-guard by Michigan Democratic Senator Elissa Slotkin's criticisms of the right-wing Israeli government's constant attacks on Palestinians trying to receive humanitarian aid, and how Israeli settlers killed a Palestinian-American this week. Is Senator Slotkin changing her mind on what's happening in Gaza?

    51:14-53:12: Ending
    Last new show until August 6.

    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: "Walberg says years of bad decision making may doom some rural hospitals." By Brett Briscoe of WTVB in Coldwater, MI "US Supreme Court allows Trump to carry out plan to dismantle Education Department for now." By Shauneen Miranda of Michigan Advance "211 House Republicans Vote to Block Release of Epstein Files." By Malcolm Ferguson of The New Republic "Trump Medicaid cuts could risk closing three Michigan hospitals." by Anna Busse of Michigan Public Radio "Trump administration tells states it’s freezing $6.8 billion for K-12 school programs." By Shauneen Miranda of Michigan Advance "Trump Vows to Create More Blackouts." By David Dayen of The American Prospect
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    53 m
  • 282: Monday Musing: MAGA (In)Action In Texas Flood Reveals Destructive & Deadly Consequences

    282: Monday Musing: MAGA (In)Action In Texas Flood Reveals Destructive & Deadly Consequences
    Jul 14 2025
    #podcast #progressives #politics #Michigan #Texas #TexasFlood #ClimateChange #CleanEnergy #WorkingClass #CorporateCorruption #CorporateGreed #GovernmentCorruption #Trump #MAGA #Republicans #KristiNoem #FlintWaterCrisis #LeftOfLansing

    Here's the Left of Lansing "Monday Musing" for July 14, 2025.

    Over 130 have died from the flooding in central Texas with another 150 still missing.

    Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has repeatedly stated how she wants to end FEMA as we know it. And now, Texans are finding it difficult to get help.

    Even more, we've learned that Kerr County commissioners denied federal funds to upgrade their emergency systems for weather events because it was viewed as "Biden money."

    At a time when we're seeing 500 year storms happening every year, perhaps now is not the best time to gut FEMA funding, or clean energy funding?

    And maybe it's never a good time to let MAGA Republicans get power?

    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
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    5 m
  • 281: A Transformative Working Class Agenda, w/ Michigan State Senate Candidate Ivan Diaz

    281: A Transformative Working Class Agenda, w/ Michigan State Senate Candidate Ivan Diaz
    Jul 10 2025
    #podcast #politics #Progressives #DemocraticSocialism #Michigan #Democrats #MAGA #Trump #CorporateGreed #CorporateCorruption #GovernmentCorruption #WorkingClass #Medicaid #UBI #Republicans #MAGAMurderBudget #Oligarchy #Devos #Populism #Epstein #Elites #UniversalHealthCare #IvanDiaz #LeftOfLansing

    Here's Episode 141 of Michigan's Premier Progressive Podcast!

    00:00-19:06: Epstein/Corporate Authoritarians/Nessel Goes After MEDC

    Pat Johnston opens by illustrating how Dear Leader Trump's decision to not release the Epstein Files shows how the elite, untouchable, oligarch class are always out to protect themselves. We saw that happen in real time when Dear Leader signed the MAGA Murder Budget into law. It's a major giveaway to the corporate class, such as providing tax write-offs for buying private planes. Very working class, indeed. Pat applauds Michigan AG Dana Nessel for going after corruption inside the Michigan Economic Development Corporation.

    19:07-44:00: Ivan Diaz, Democratic Socialist Candidate For MI State Senate Seat 29

    Democratic Socialist Ivan Diaz, who's running for the Michigan Senate Seat in the 29th District, joins the show to talk about his campaign, and why he believes Now is the right time to represent a transformative working class agenda for his district. Pat and Mr. Diaz discuss his agenda, how to reverse MAGA Republicanism, how to reverse neoliberal policies, and how Democrats can best reach the working class. They also talk about where Democrats fell short in Michigan, and how he'll convince voters that Democratic Socialism serves all people.

    44:01-50:00: Last Call-Populism Wins

    The "Last Call" argues how Americans are in a populist move, but while MAGA Republicans offer fake-populism, Democratic Party leaders and consultants refuse to back populist economic policies.

    50:01-52:54: Ending/Tigers

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

    leftoflansing@gmail.com

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    leftoflansing.com

    NOTES:
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    53 m
  • 280: Monday Musing: Rise of ICE Arrests In Michigan Is Rise of 21st Century Fascism

    280: Monday Musing: Rise of ICE Arrests In Michigan Is Rise of 21st Century Fascism
    Jul 7 2025
    #podcast #politics #progressives #Democrats #Democracy #Immigration #WhiteChristianNationalist #Immigration #Trump #MAGA #StevenMiller #Michigan #WorkingClass #Fascism #LeftOfLansing

    Here's the Left of Lansing "Monday Musing" for July 7, 2025.

    A new MLIVE story over the weekend detailed how ICE arrests of Michigan immigrants has increased by 154% in the last few months.

    Make no mistake: This was never about deporting criminals.

    It was always about kidnapping and humiliating immigrants due to the White Christian Nationalists inside The Trump Regime.

    It's not only a human rights crime, but it's also hurting the state's economy.

    It's 21st Century Fascism.

    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
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    5 m
  • 279: Friday Short: MAGA Won't Take Away My Patriotism Or Country

    279: Friday Short: MAGA Won't Take Away My Patriotism Or Country
    Jul 4 2025
    #podcast #politics #progressives #Democrats #Trump #MAGA #Republicans #Patriotism #Democracy #Fascism #WhiteChristianNationalism #WorkingClass #MAGAMurderBudget #Mamdani #LeftOfLansing

    Here's the Left of Lansing "Friday Short" for July 4, 2025.

    A new Gallup Poll on this Independence Day holiday reveals that American Pride is at an all-time low. That's not surprising with everything that's happened in the first half of this year, and with the passage of the MAGA Murder Budget which steals from the working class safety net and further enriches Old Money.

    Yet, despite feeling dispirited, millions of Americans oppose this fascist takeover, and are demanding for real, economically progressive change. And a majority of Americans refuse to give-up, and to allow MAGA Republicans to own the American flag and define what real patriotism is.

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

    leftoflansing@gmail.com

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    NOTES: "National pride is declining in America. And it’s splitting by party lines, new Gallup polling shows." By Linley Sanders and Amelia Thomson-Deveaux of The AP
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    5 m
  • 278: MAGA Murder Budget Impacts On Michigan; Elissa Slotkin's Economic War Plan Review

    278: MAGA Murder Budget Impacts On Michigan; Elissa Slotkin's Economic War Plan Review
    Jul 3 2025
    #podcast #progressives #Democrats #Michigan #MAGAMurderBudget #BigBeautifulBill #Trump #MAGA #Republicans #Medicaid #WorkingClass #SNAP #CleanEnergy #Jobs #CorporateGreed #CorporateCorruption #GovernmentCorruption #Oligarchy #CorporateAuthoritariansim #JohnMoolenaar #RashidaTlaib #ElissaSlotkin #Populism #LeftOfLansing

    Here's the Episode 140 of Michigan's Premier Progressive Podcast for July 3, 2025!

    00:00-17:23: MAGA Murder Budget Destroys Clean Energy

    Pat Johnston highlights how the MAGA Murder Budget will decimate investments into our growing clean energy industry in Michigan, and across the nation. At the same time, MAGA Republicans in Congress are providing major subsidies for the coal & oil industry. This won't just harm Americans on a public health and environmental front, this will destroy jobs and our nation's economy. Even more, thanks in part to my MAGA Republican Congressman John Moolenaar, Republicans are handing China a big economic victory while hurting America.

    17:24-36:21: MAGA Murder Budget Is Pro-Oligarchy

    Pat shows how Michigan MAGA Republicans in the State House failed to pass a budget by the July 1 deadline. Like Congressional Republicans, Michigan Republicans are trying to steal from the working class safety net, and funnel money up towards their rich & elite donor base. Pat highlights how the MAGA Murder Budget attacks Medicaid, and how Republican arguments for work requirements is another way to humiliate the working class.

    36:22-46:01: Last Call-Sen.Slotkin's "Economic War Plan" Review

    In the "Last Call," Pat gives a review of Michigan Democratic Senator Elissa Slotkin's "Economic War Plan." He points-out where he agrees with her, and where and why some of her incremental plans fail the moment we're in as a country.

    46:02-47:54: Ending

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

    leftoflansing@gmail.com

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    leftoflansing.com

    NOTES: "Senate passes ‘big, beautiful bill:’ What it means for Michigan." By Lauren Gibbons of Bridge Michigan "Climate change triggers earlier mold allergy season, say Michigan scientists." By Emilio Perez Ibarguen "Michigan is energized: Report ranks state 6th in nation for clean energy jobs." By Michigan Department of Energy, Great Lakes, and Energy "More Than 100,000 Michigan Residents Nearly Lost Medicaid Coverage Under Work Requirements." By Robert Gordon of The Commonwealth Fund "Michigan Dems excoriate passage of ‘big, beautiful’ tax and spending bill as GOP applauds action." By Ben Solis of Michigan Advance "Is the Republican Party a Chinese Communist Conspiracy?" By Ryan Cooper of The American Prospect "Anti-Gotion activists speak out at Michigan House subcommittee as project remains on hold." By Kyle Davidson of Michigan Advance Political Contributions to Michigan Republican Congressman John Moolenaar via Open Secrets
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    48 m