Episodios

  • 354: Monday Musing: ICE Killing Of Pretti Shows MAGA's Cards

    354: Monday Musing: ICE Killing Of Pretti Shows MAGA's Cards
    Jan 26 2026

    #politics #progressives #Michigan #Minnesota #ICE #Authoritarianism #Fascism #PoliticalViolence #GunRights #MAGA #Trump #Republicans #Democrats #CorporateGreed #GovernmentCorruption #LisaMcClain #AricNesbitt #BillHuizenga #WhiteChristianNationalist #WhiteChristianNationalism #WorkingClass #Immigration #Minorities #Democracy #Freedom #LeftOfLansing

    Here's the Left of Lansing "Monday Musing" for January 26, 2026.

    The execution of Minnesota nurse Alex Pretti by the Trump Regime's ICE Gestapo, and the MAGA Republican defense of the shooting, proves the main goal about MAGA Republicanism is to destroy, and kill, those it views as the enemies within.

    MAGA's never been about gun rights, freedom of speech rights, or economic rights for the working class.

    It's been about making this a whiter America, and if white Americans get in their way, they'll be disappeared, too.

    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

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

    NOTES:

    "Fallout from Alex Pretti killing: Trump administration facing widespread criticism." By Brian Martucci of The Minnesota Reformer Michigan MAGA Republican Congresswoman Lisa McClain Facebook posting on her support for 2nd Amendment Rights.
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    6 m
  • 353: Friday Short: Democratic "Centrists" Vote For Trump's ICE Gestapo

    353: Friday Short: Democratic "Centrists" Vote For Trump's ICE Gestapo
    Jan 23 2026

    #podcast #progressive #Democrats #Michigan #ElissaSlotkin #Slotkin #Republicans #MAGA #Trump #CorporateGreed #CorporateCorruption #GovernmentCorruption #ICE #Immigration #HenryCuellar #WorkingClass #Authoritarianism #Fascism #Election2026 #Democracy #LeftofLansing

    Here's the Left of Lansing "Friday Short" for January 23, 2026.

    Seven corporate Democrats (or Democratic "Centrists) in the U.S. House voted with the autocratic MAGA majority to shovel more money to the Trump Regime's ICE Gestapo in a spending bill this week. That bill now moves onto the Senate where other "centrists" Democrats, like Michigan's Elissa Slotkin, says she will never back a push to Abolish ICE.

    Thanks to some excellent reporting, we now know that those pushing Democrats to say "reform ICE," rather than to abolish it are lobbyists for the defense and surveillance industries.

    There's a big election coming up in 10 months, and working class Americans are hoping there'll be a true opposition party to Trump's MAGA, but some Democrats would rather play along with authoritarianism than fight against it.

    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

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

    NOTES:

    "Author of ‘Don’t Say Abolish ICE’ Memo Is a Corporate Consultant." By Whitney Curry-Winbush of The American Prospect
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    5 m
  • 352: The MAGA Media Propaganda Machine w/ Jennifer Schulze of Indistinct Chatter

    352: The MAGA Media Propaganda Machine w/ Jennifer Schulze of Indistinct Chatter
    Jan 22 2026

    #podcast #progressives #politics #michigan #Democrats #MAGA #Republicans #Trump #CorporateGreed #CorporateCorruption #GovernmentCorruption #Greenland #AmericaFirst #WorkingClass #RxKids #MattHall #Whitmer #Election2026 #Inequality #WealthInequality #ICE #AbolishICE #Authoritarianism #Mothers #Immigration #ChildCare #WhiteChristianNationalism #TechBros #CBSNews #BariWeiss #Economy #Race #Racism #Democracy #LeftOfLansing

    00:00:15:37: Greenland? Attacks on RxKids

    Left of Lansing's Pat Johnston doesn't understand how spending around a trillion dollars to acquire Greenland to please billionaire Tech Bros helps working class Americans, who are struggling with high costs of food, electricity, child care, health care, and car insurance. And it took awhile, but MAGA Michigan Republicans are finally beginning to attack the successful RxKids program. Pat explains why. Because, it works!

    15:38-43:35: Jennifer Schulze Interview

    Longtime Chicago journalist and media critic Jennifer Schulze joins the show to talk about MAGA media propaganda machine. On her Substack, Indistinct Chatter, Jennifer wrote an article on the MAGA political operative Nick Shirley, and how his propaganda videos on so-called "fraud" in child care facilities in Minnesota, led to the Trump Regime's Ice Gestapo invasion in Minneapolis. And Jennifer and Pat discuss the devolving of CBS News, which is becoming a Trump Propaganda News Network by the billionaire-picked News Director, Bari Weiss.

    42:01-51:25: Last Call-Whitmer's Silence

    In this week's "Last Call," Pat criticizes Michigan Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer's continued refusal to stand-up for working class Michiganders, and all Americans, while the Trump Regime causes pain in a myriad of ways.

    51:26-53:35: 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

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

    NOTES:

    "Stop calling Nick Shirley a journalist. He's a MAGA political operative." By Jennifer Schulze of Indistinct Chatter "Goodbye Cronkite, Hello Trump." By Jennifer Schulze of Indistinct Chatter "Before Michigan moms in poverty get aid, cash flows through this NY group." By Beth LeBlanc of The Detroit News "Rx Kids expands unprecedented effort to support Michigan families." By Liam Boylan-Pett of MSU Today "Right-Wing YouTuber Behind Viral Minnesota Fraud Video Has Long Anti-Immigrant History." By Jonah Valdez of The Intercept "Advocates demand Wayne County Airport Authority halt ICE flights out of Willow Run airport." By Katherine Dailey of Michigan Advance "Detroit Rejects Trump & ICE Invades Minneapolis." By the Point of Disorder Podcast "Three seconds on a Michigan factory floor told the truth too many in power won’t say out loud." By Jon King of Michigan Advance
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    54 m
  • 351: Monday Musing: More Insider Trading Allegations Surrounding Michigan Rep. Lisa McClain

    351: Monday Musing: More Insider Trading Allegations Surrounding Michigan Rep. Lisa McClain
    Jan 19 2026

    #podcast #progressives #politics #Michigan #Democrats #Republicans #MAGA #Trump #InsiderTrading #WorkingClass #Oligarchy #Palantir #PeterTheil #ElonMusk #AI #CorporateGreed #CorporateCorruption #GovernmentCorruption #LisaMcclain #Corruption #Congress #Election2026 #Authoritarianism #Democracy #LeftOfLansing

    Here's the Left of Lansing "Monday Musing" for January 19, 2026.

    It appears Michigan Congresswoman Lisa McClain from the 9th congressional district is dealing with some more insider trading allegations.

    After being late on disclosing how she and her husband plugged-in around $900,000 in trades last year which included Peter Theil's Palantir, Lisa & her husband are in the news once again for more insider trading shenanigans.

    Just days before the Trump Regime's Pentagon announced plans to expand Elon Musk's xAI in the military, Lisa's husband apparently purchased between $100,000-$250,000 of the private xAI stock.

    I'm sure it was just dumb luck.

    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

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

    NOTES:
    "House Republican Conference chairwoman Lisa McClain disclosed the purchase made just days before the Pentagon announced a major integration with xAI." By David Shaw of Sludge

    "Michigan’s McClain tells congressional clerk that she will avoid violating STOCK Act in the future." By Ben Solis of Michigan Advance "Author of ‘Don’t Say Abolish ICE’ Memo Is a Corporate Consultant." By Whitney Curry Wimbush of The American Prospect
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    5 m
  • 350: Friday Short: Democrats Must Push To Abolish ICE In '26!

    350: Friday Short: Democrats Must Push To Abolish ICE In '26!
    Jan 16 2026

    #podcast #progressives #Michigan #politics #Democrats #Republicans #MAGA #Trump #ICE #ICEViolence #Authoritarianism #PoliticalViolence #CorporateGreed #CorporateCorruption #GovernmentCorruption #Immigrants #Race #WhiteSupremacy #WhiteChristianNationalism #Tryranny #MikeRogers #Election2026 #WorkingClass #Oligarchy #Democracy #LeftOfLansing

    Here's the Left of Lansing "Friday Short" for January 16, 2026.

    Polls are showing Americans are fed-up with the Trump Regime's Ice Gestapo, and polls show a split for those believing in abolishing, or preserving, ICE. There is heavy support to restrict ICE activities.

    Left of Lansing's Pat Johnston says now is the time for Progressive Democrats to push a bold and strong message to abolish ICE since it's against everything we value in our country and our democratic society.

    And we must say "No," to those corporate Democratic Party groups who say Democrats should push incremental changes to ICE this election year.

    Incrementalism is what got us here in the first place!

    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

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

    NOTES:
    YouGov Survey on ICE and Its Practices
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    5 m
  • 349: Battling Oligarch Devos Family and ICE in West Michigan

    349: Battling Oligarch Devos Family and ICE in West Michigan
    Jan 15 2026
    #podcast #politics #progressives #Democrats #Republicans #MAGA #Trump #Vance #Oligarchy #TechBros #Media #CorporateGreed #CorporateCorruption #GovernmentCorruption #Michigan #ICE #Authoritarianism #PoliticalViolence #Immigration #GrandRapids #WestMichigan #DeVos #BetsyDevos #ElissaSlotkin #Education #WealthInequality #WorkingClass #Democracy #LeftOfLansingHere's Episode #162 of Michigan's Premier Progressive Podcast!00:00-9:54: Union Worker Heckles TrumpA union worker at Ford's Truck Plant in Dearborn called Dear Leader Trump a "pedophile protector," but has now been suspended by the automaker. However, working class Americans are showing their massive support by raising money for this union worker. This is another illustration how little the Trump Regime cares about working class Americans, and how the regime only works for the oligarch class. 9:54-39:09: Jeff Smith from GRIID InterviewJeff Smith is the founder and director of Grand Rapids Institute for Information Democracy, or GRIID, talks with Pat this week. Mr. Smith talks about his years of work exposing and highlighting the many different ways the DeVos Oligarch Family is ingrained in the state's economic and political power structure. He also talks about his work in helping protect undocumented citizens in West Michigan, and how you can help-out in your local community as well. 39:10-47:18: Last Call-Dems Cave To Corp ClassIn this week's "Last Call," Pat picks-up where Jeff Smith left-off on how some corporate Democrats continuously cave to the corporate class, like the DeVos Oligarch Family, The Trump Regime, and others. Michigan Senator Elissa Slotkin is one of them.47:19-50:02: EndingPlease, subscribe to the podcast, download each episode, and give it a good review if you can!leftoflansing@gmail.comLeft of Lansing is now on YouTube as well!leftoflansing.comMusic provided by Wanderbeats. To hear the latest project, visit Space Leopard on various streaming sites, or visit: https://www.youtube.com/@SpaceLeopardNOTES:Grand Rapids Institute For Information Democracy "The company at 545 Michigan in Grand Rapids that already has a contract with ICE, will now be using bounty hunters to track down immigrants for ICE." By Jeff Smith of GRIID "Why are we not focusing as much attention on the Billionaires in our own back yard as we are on Musk and Bezos?" By Jeff Smith of GRIID "Look at which groups are opposing the ballot initiative that would raise taxes for millionaires and billionaires in Michigan." By Jeff Smith of GRIID "A Ford worker called out Trump. The president flipped him off. Now, he’s been suspended." By Ben Solis of Michigan Advance "UAW backs Ford worker suspended for heckling Trump, condemns president’s ‘vulgar’ response." By Steve Neavling of Detroit Metro Times "The DeVos family publicly reengages in Michigan politics ahead of Election 2026." By Zoe Clark and Rick Pluta of Michigan Public Radio "Slotkin says she’s under federal investigation over illegal orders video." By Ashleigh Fields of The Hill "A Majority of Young Voters Now Reject Both Parties." By Ed Kilgore of The Intelligencer
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    50 m
  • 348: Monday Musing: Ice Brutality Is Why You Never Capitulate To Authoritarianism

    348: Monday Musing: Ice Brutality Is Why You Never Capitulate To Authoritarianism
    Jan 12 2026

    #podcast #politics #progressives #Democrats #Republicans #MAGA #Trump #Vance #ICE #Immigration #CorporateGreed #CorporateCorruption #GovernmentCorruption #Donors #Oligarchy #WorkingClass #PoliticalViolence #WhiteChristianNationalism #Fascism #Authoritarianism #HaleyStevens #DemocraticSocialism #Democracy #LeftofLansing

    Here's the Left of Lansing "Monday Musing" for January 12, 2026.

    Pat Johnston muses about inflicting cruelty and violence on both undocumented citizens AND American citizens is part of the Trump Regime's authoritarianism goal of silencing opposition.

    That's why several Democrats including Michigan Congresswoman Haley Stevens were completely derelict in their duty to oppose the Trump Regime's authoritarianism from the start.

    While progressive Democrats and Democratic Socialists are standing-up for those who don't have power in this scary time in American history, too many corporate Democrats believed capitulating to Authoritarianism was the best play.

    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

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

    NOTES:

    "In a year, ICE arrested over 2,300 in Michigan – from teens at home to a dad getting coffee." By Rose White of MLive "Detroit councilwoman calls for limits on ICE operations following Minneapolis shooting." By WXYT News, Channel 7 in Detroit
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    6 m
  • 347: Friday Short: Celebrating ICE Killing Americans Is MAGA's War On Empathy

    347: Friday Short: Celebrating ICE Killing Americans Is MAGA's War On Empathy
    Jan 9 2026

    #podcast #politics #progressive #Michigan #Democrats #MAGA #Republicans #Trump #Empathy #ICE #ReneeGood #CorporateGreed #CorporateCorruption #GovernmentCorruption #WhiteChristianNationalism #Authoritarianism #GunViolence #PoliticalViolence #EmilyDievendorf #LeftofLansing

    Here's the Left of Lansing "Friday Short" for January 9, 2026.

    Why are MAGA Republicans suddenly supporting the federal government, particularly the Trump Regime's ICE agents, as it levels cruelty and violence on those they've been conditioned to hate? And why are MAGA Republicans celebrating ICE's shooting and killing of an American citizen in Minneapolis?

    Because to MAGA Republicans, showing any type of empathy is weak and goes against the values of the United States. Then, these same people will go to church on Sundays and learn about helping the poor and the immigrants.

    Empathy is a progressive term, according to MAGA, which is why they refuse to show any.

    Is that what the United States of America should be about?

    Left of Lansing's Pat Johnston doesn't believe so.

    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

    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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    5 m