74: Episode 61: UAW Win; Michigan Dems Strengthen Abortion Rights; Arab Americans Leaving Biden
Welcome to Episode 61 of Michigan's Premier Progressive Politics! This week, I breakdown how the right wing Republican Party has always worked on behalf of the elite class to eliminate government assistance for working Americans. They've done it by whittling-down the New Deal and Great Society programs through the years, and they've done it using racist tropes, like the mythic "welfare queen."...
38m Nov 02, 2023
38m
73: LoL Friday Short: A Victory For Tolerance & Education
The Left of Lansing Friday Short this week celebrates a judge's ruling in which he dismissed a lawsuit over so-called "pornographic" books in Kent County's Rockford Public Schools District. A right-wing Christian Nationalist group wanted to ban 14 books, most of which dealt with LGBTQ+ stories. The judge ruled the books as a whole have literary value. It was a harsh defeat for those seeking t...
4m Oct 27, 2023
4m
72: Left of Lansing Ep. 60: Update on Michigan Climate Bills with NRDC's Derrell Slaughter
It's episode #60 of Michigan's premier progressive podcast! Michigan Democrats continue working on clean and affordable energy bills in the state legislature. They must get some of these bills passed before the November adjournment date, or else everything will get pushed back until next year. The main goals of these bills are to make Michigan caborn-free by 2035 or 2040, pushing for strong en...
45m Oct 26, 2023
45m
71: Left of Lansing's "Monday Musings." MI Democrats' plan to stop local MAGA governments from blocking clean energy farms
Listen to my inaugural Left of Lansing "Monday Musings!" I talk about how local Maga governments throughout Michigan are fighting against solar and wind farms in their areas. Democrats have proposed one solution to remedy this problem: put the state in control of large scale clean energy projects, which overrides a local government's powers. Democrats want to put the power of allowing farmers...
4m Oct 23, 2023
4m
70: LoL Friday Short: Democrats working to abolish Snyder's "Polluter Panels"
Here's the LoL Friday Short on this October 20th, of 2023 Democrats in the Michigan Legislature have introduced bills to abolish former Republican Gov. Rick Snyder's "Polluter Panels." (https://michiganadvance.com/2023/10/19/enviros-testify-in-favor-of-eliminating-ineffective-environmental-review-boards/?emci=9156ed9a-236f-ee11-b004-00224832eb73&emdi=4dd36f72-2f6f-ee11-b004-00224832eb73&ceid=...
4m Oct 20, 2023
4m
69: Episode 59: Taking On Corporate Greed, And Fighting FOR The People w/ State Rep. Dylan Wegela
It's the 59th episode of Michigan's Premier Progressive Podcast! My returning guest this week is Michigan Democratic State Rep. Dylan Wegela (https://housedems.com/dylan-wegela/) from the 26th House District. We talk about his plans to thwart the state's two main utility companies--DTE & Consumers Energy--from using dark money to influence Lansing, especially at a time when Michiganders want o...
44m Oct 19, 2023
44m
68: LoL Friday Short: UAW's Fain Shows The Power of Messaging
The Left of Lansing "Friday Short" this week puts a spotlight on UAW President Shawn Fain's effective messaging campaign during the union's strike against the Big Three Detroit automakers. Fain isn't allowing right wing forces, including the Republican Party or Donald Trump, to pit worker against worker, or the union against environmentalists. He's clearly defining who the real opponent is in...
5m Oct 13, 2023
5m
67: Episode 58: The UAW & Workers' Rights w/ Sarah Lazare of Workers Magazine
Episode 58 of Michigan's Premier Podcast is posted! In my opening segment, I discuss the lunacy of Livingston County Republicans, and why some GOP state representatives voted against a bill delivering clean water to schools and day care centers. Seems like an odd strategy, but let's see how it'll work out for them! Plus, I talk about the need for Michigan Democrats to keep pressing for passage...
42m Oct 12, 2023
42m
66: Friday Left of Lansing Short: Rep. Dylan Wegela Wants To Stop DTE & Consumers Energy Dark Money In Lansing
My Friday Left of Lansing Short is on Democratic State Representative Dylan Wegela's (https://housedems.com/dylan-wegela/) efforts on stopping the dark money influence DTE and Consumers Energy utilizes in Lansing. Rep. Wegela outlined (https://www.freep.com/story/opinion/contributors/2023/10/02/dte-power-outages-michigan-campaign/70983149007/) how he intends to do that by introducing a bill pr...
4m Oct 06, 2023
4m
65: Episode 57: Michigan Democrats Showing Government Works With Good Governance!
Here's episode 57 of Michigan's Premier Progressive Podcast! I tackle The Fall of Kevin McCarthy, and why House Democrats made the right move by refusing to give him a life line. McCarthy voted against certifying the 2020 election, he called for impeachment hearings into President Biden despite a lack of evidence, and he did the bidding of Donald Trump. So, so long, Kev! As 2024 nears, I have...
44m Oct 05, 2023
44m
64: Friday Left of Lansing Short: What if Biden's poll numbers remain low?
My Friday LOL Short this week deals with the uncomfortable subject of what will Democrats do if President Biden's poll numbers keep struggling in early 2024? As someone who believes the Biden Administration has exceeded my expectations, the facts are that Biden remains neck-and-neck with Trump in several polls. Which is why I don't think it's wrong for Democrats to strategize a Plan B in case...
5m Sep 29, 2023
5m
63: Episode 56: Former Radio Host and Now Reporter Jon King from Michigan Advance
It’s the 56th episode of Michigan’s Premier Progressive Podcast! I’ve been looking forward to this episode because I’ve wanted to talk with Michigan Advance reporter Jon King for quite awhile. Jon’s been busy covering MAGA right wing Millennial presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy speech at the Mackinac Republican Leadership Conference, Mike Rogers’ steep chances at winning the Republican no...
54m Sep 28, 2023
54m
62: Left of Lansing Short: State House Democrat Might Stop The Reproductive Health Act
This week's Left of Lansing Short deals with how Democratic State House Rep. Karen Whitsett (https://local.michigandems.com/people/michigan-state-house-district-4/Karen-Whitsett/) from the 4th district in Detroit not only voted against the Reproductive Health Act in House Health Policy Committee this week, but she's signaling she's vote against the RHA when it comes to a vote on the House floor...
4m Sep 22, 2023
4m
61: Episode 55: Paid Family Leave w/ Danielle Atkinson of Mothering Justice
Here's Episode 55 of Michigan's Premier Progressive Podcast! Paid Family and Medical Leave is one of the important policies Michigan Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer mentioned in her "What's Next" speech last month. If Michigan's Democratic majority in the legislature can pass State Sen. Erika Geiss's paid family and medical leave bills, Michigan would join 11 other states which have alrea...
48m Sep 21, 2023
48m
60: Left of Lansing Short: UAW's 4-day work week request makes sense
The Left of Lansing Short on this Friday September 15, 2023 deals with the UAW's request for a 32-hour work week for its members. It's not that crazy of an idea, and the data shows that workers are happier and more productive when they work four days a week. If that's the case, then why aren't we doing it! The UAW officially started its "Stand Up Strike" against the Big Three automakers late...
4m Sep 15, 2023
4m
59: Episode 54: GOP absent for workers & clean, affordable energy; My response to Mitch Albom on respect for elderly
It's episode 54 of Michigan's premier progressive podcast! It's a solo episode this week as I spend time taking the Michigan GOP to task for being absent on supporting the UAW (and unions, in general) in its fight for fair wages, pensions, and paid time-off against the Big Three automakers. Progressives always support unions. Michigan progressive lawmakers and activists support unions, but not...
43m Sep 14, 2023
43m
58: The Friday Short: Democrats Reversing Draconian GOP Abortion Access Laws
The "Friday Short" highlights the Reproductive Freedom Act, which Democratic State Rep. Laurie Pohutsky formally introduced this week. The RFA would reverse many hurtful abortion access restrictions put in place by Republicans through the years as they tried to enact their view of Christian Nationalism on the rest of the state. Please, listen to this week's Left of Lansing episode with Ashlea ...
5m Sep 08, 2023
5m
57: Episode 53: Reproductive Health Act w/ Ashlea Phenicie from Planned Parenthood of Michigan
It's the 53rd installment of Michigan's premier progressive podcast! I start out mocking the right wing Michigan Republican Party for claiming to care about working Michiganders on this past Labor Day. Then, I talk about the latest from the nutty right wing Ottawa Impact faction, which is working to defund the Ottawa County health department all because it took steps to protect its citizens du...
49m Sep 07, 2023
49m
56: Friday Left of Lansing Short: Let Michigan Join Winner-Take-All National Vote Compact
It's the Friday Left of Lansing Short! I discuss my support to have Michigan join the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact. This would allow states to award their electoral college votes to the presidential candidate who won the national majority vote. Right now, states allocate their electoral college votes to the candidate who won their state. Democratic State Representative Carrie Rhe...
4m Sep 01, 2023
4m
55: Episode 52: Democratic State Rep. Carrie Rheingans and Universal Health Care in Michigan
Episode 52 of Michigan's premier progressive podcast is a little longer than normal, but well worth the listen! I take DTE Energy and Consumers Energy to task for failing to keep the lights on after storms rolled through the state. Despite keeping hundreds of thousands of customers in the dark, both energy companies are asking government officials to give the green light on more rate hikes! Pe...
51m Aug 31, 2023
51m
54: Friday Left of Lansing Short: Right Wing's Dream Of Silencing Gen Z
My Left of Lansing "Short" this Friday is about Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy's proposal to ban anyone under 25 from voting, unless they fulfil specific requirements, including passing a citizenship test. Generation Z is not only a politically active voting bloc, especially in Michigan, but it's also a highly progressive voting bloc. Rather than fight for their vote based o...
5m Aug 25, 2023
5m
53: Episode 51: Gina Keller from Distill Social, and Playing The New Offense
Here's another exciting and informative episode of Michigan's premier progressive podcast! The Christian Nationalism that has overtaken the Michigan Republican Party is trying to take control of the entire state. While Democrats have control of state government for the first time in 40 years, and progressive values have achieved some major victories, right wing Christian Nationalist are taking...
41m Aug 24, 2023
41m
52: Friday Left of Lansing Short: John Moolenaar's Gotion Hypocrisy
The "Friday Short" puts a spotlight on Michigan Republican Congressman John Moolenaar's hypocrisy when it comes to the proposed Gotion electric battery plant in Big Rapids. Moolenaar hopped-aboard the right wing xenophobia bandwagon since Gotion's parent company is from China (https://michiganadvance.com/2023/06/25/a-proposed-gotion-plant-has-turned-neighbors-and-friends-into-enemies/) . Yet, ...
5m Aug 18, 2023
5m
51: Episode 50: Mi Right To Read w/ Debbie Mikula of Michigan Libraries Association
Here it is! The 50th episode of Michigan's premier progressive podcast! I love that I've made it to 50 episodes, and I'd love to thank everyone who helped me get this little project off-the-ground. And, I'd love to thank you for listening, and to helping spread the word of this podcast. In this episode, I put a spotlight on the extreme right-wing Christian Nationalist movement, which is spread...
48m Aug 17, 2023
48m
50: Episode 49: Fighting To Close Line 5 w/ Sean McBrearty of Oil & Water Don't Mix
It's the 49th episode of Michigan's premier progressive podcast! I celebrate Ohio's decision to hand the state Republican party a humiliating defeat at the polls this week, when voters rejected the GOP's efforts to raise the threshold to pass a state referendum from 50-to-60%. Ohio Republicans were hoping to hurt the chances of enshrining abortion rights into Ohio's constitution in November. B...
45m Aug 10, 2023
45m
49: Friday Left of Lansing Short: GOP Wants TikTok Ban To Hurt Gen Z
This week's "Short" deals with the Republican effort to ban TikTok in the United States. Ostensibly, they argue it's to protect our privacy since TikTok is a Chinese company. But the main reason Republicans are fighting for a ban is to take-away a major communication tool from Generation Z voters, who are by far the most progressive voting bloc in the country. Generation Z played a key role i...
5m Aug 04, 2023
5m
48: Episode 48: Progress Michigan's Jade Gray on Connecting With Gen Z Voters
Here's Episode 48 of Michigan's premier progressive podcast! Happy Indictment Week III! I had so many words and thoughts to share as Donald Trump faces his third indictment this week. He's finally been charged for the role he played for the January 6th insurrection in an effort to steal the 2020 election. Despite getting indicted again, Michigan's GOP is all-in for Trump even though two more ...
47m Aug 03, 2023
47m
47: Episode 47: Anna Gustafson from Michigan Advance on Gotion Controversy
It's episode 47 of Michigan's premier progressive podcast! The Gotion electric vehicle battery component plant is causing a rift in the Big Rapids area, located in Mecosta County. Local Republican leaders jumped at the chance to have the California-based company build the new plant in their area--an area in which 18% of its residents live in poverty. But because Gotion's parent company is from...
42m Jul 27, 2023
42m
46: Episode 46: Sam Inglot of Progress Michigan on GOP's moral and ethical rot
Here's the 46th episode of Michigan's premier progressive podcast! I start-out this week talking about taking the battle to the right wing forces in our state. I illustrated why state Senator Mallory McMorrow's "We will not let hate win," speech went viral. It resonated with millions across the country because McMorrow did what so many of us want to see from Democrats: fighting back. In Michig...
49m Jul 20, 2023
49m
45: Episode 45: A New-New Deal Democrat with State Representative Betsy Coffia
Here’s the 45th installment of Michigan’s premier progressive podcast! Democratic State Rep. Betsy Coffia from the 103rd District (https://housedems.com/betsy-coffia/about/) joins me this week. Rep. Coffia’s district contains Leelanau, Grand Traverse, and Benzie Counties. She’s been a journalist, a social worker, and a Grand Traverse County commissioner. And now, she’s in Lansing trying to make...
50m Jul 13, 2023
50m
44: Episode 44: Charlotte Jameson of The Michigan Environmental Council On A Cleaner & Affordable State
Here's episode 44 of Michigan's premiere progressive podcast! Strong progressive policies continue to not only get introduced, but continue to pass in the state legislature as we witnessed with the expansion of the Hate Crimes Law. The Democratic majority passed a historic budget last week, and I highlight how they not only spent time and energy reinvesting in our teachers and students, but th...
38m Jul 06, 2023
38m
43: Episode 43: Derrell Slaughter of NRDC on Historic Clean Energy & Climate Change Bills
Progressive changes continue in our state thanks to the Democratic majority in the state legislature as both the general and education budgets passed this week. These budgets provide significant funding boosts for K-12 spending, including more per-pupil funding and universal free breakfast and lunch. And the general budget provides more funding for roads, infrastructure, health care workers, th...
39m Jun 29, 2023
39m
42: Episode 42: Interview with State Senator Stephanie Chang
We're officially in Summer, and I'm serving up the 42nd episode of the weekly podcast! My opening monologue deals with why I'm supporting the Michigan Multimedia Jobs (https://mifia.org/) proposal, which provides tax credits for companies wanting to make movies, shows, commercials, and other multimedia productions in the state. Michigan Democrats are busy helping people, including providing fr...
42m Jun 22, 2023
42m
41: Episode 41: MiFIA's Alexander Page On New Film Incentives Proposal in Michigan
Here's Episode 41 of the podcast devoted to highlighting the progressive fight to revive and restore Michigan's greatness! My opening monologue describes how old time Michigan Republicans have no power in their party anymore, and they have nobody to blame but themselves as the extremists lead the party. And I explain how these extremists are hurting our abilities to reverse the population and ...
41m Jun 15, 2023
41m
40: Episode 40: Dr. Joshua Cowen on The right wing's attack on public schools using vouchers
Here's the 40th episode!!! In this week's episode, I share some thoughts on WJR-AM's "next generation" of talk show hosts, which kinda sounds like the same as the last generation. I also talk about how former Republican "Nerd" Governor, Mr. Flint Water Crisis, himself, Rick Snyder is back in the news, announcing that he's helping Michigan Republicans take over the state legislature in 2024! T...
44m Jun 08, 2023
44m
39: Left of Lansing Podcast--Episode 39: Ottawa Co. Politics & More with Joe Spaulding
Wow, 39 episodes are in the can! This week, I speak with progressive activist Joe Spaulding on the right wing movement happening with the Ottawa County Board of Commissioners as they passed a resolution declaring the county a "constitutional county." It's quite similar to what the equally extreme right wing Livingston County Board of Commissioners recently did as well. Joe Spaulding talks abou...
46m Jun 01, 2023
46m
38: Episode 38: Rick Haglund, Business Writer for Michigan Advance
Here's the 38th episode of Left of Lansing! Coming back to the podcast is veteran business writer, Rick Haglund (https://twitter.com/rhaglund) . He writes the "Micheconomy" on Michigan Advance (https://michiganadvance.com/) , and has been covering the state's economy, and the auto industry, since the 1980's. We talk about Michigan's population problem in which not only are people leaving, but ...
41m May 25, 2023
41m
37: Episode 37: Livingston Co. Politics w/ Kasey Helton
A new episode of the Left Of Lansing Podcast is posted. This week, progressive activist Kasey Helton joins me to talk about life as a progressive in ruby red Republican Livingston County. We talk about Livingston County politics, why it's been difficult for progressives to make a dent there, but how progressives are beginning to find ways to post some victories there. She also shares some idea...
45m May 18, 2023
45m
36: Left Of Lansing Podcast--Episode 36: State Rep. Kelly Breen
 If we're not helping to protect our kids, honestly I don't know what the hell we're doing here in Lansing because that should be our number one priority.  -Kelly Breen- On this week's LOL Podcast, Democratic State Representative Kelly Breen from from the 21st House District. Rep. Breen and I discuss the gun safety reform bills Democrats passed, and were signed into law by Governor Whitmer. R...
38m May 04, 2023
38m
35: Episode 35: MI Democrats Fixing 40 Years Of GOP Rule
In this week's episode, Pat Johnston covers how Democrats are fixing what Republicans destroyed during their 40 years of power in Lansing. He covers how Republicans across the nation are working to erase American history, ban books, silence their opponents, and destroy the public school system. Pat also gives another shoutout to Democratic State Rep. Dylan Wegela for introducing a bill stopping...
23m Apr 27, 2023
23m
34: Episode 34: Interview with Democratic State Rep. Dylan Wegela
This week, I discuss how young people showed-up at the polls in a big way in Michigan, which helped Democrats pull-off the trifecta in state government. But despite the Generation Z breaking for Democrats in the last few elections, Democrats must continue showing that they are helping keep that critical voting bloc on their side. Then, State Representative Dylan Wegela joins me. He represents ...
40m Apr 20, 2023
40m
33: Episode 33: Bigotry Is Bad For Business
Michigan Democrats are banking on Gov. Whitmer's slogan that "Bigotry Is Bad For Business." Pat Johnston explains why being the anti-Indiana, the anti-Ohio, and the anti-Florida is the best strategic move for Michigan--both morally and economically. By becoming a more welcoming state for women who want to make their own medical decisions, and a more LGBTQ-friendly state, Michigan Democrats are ...
15m Apr 12, 2023
15m
32: MI Democrats Providing Blueprint For Success--4/5/23
LOL's Pat Johnston talks about how Michigan Democrats are giving state Democratic parties across the nation a blueprint for electoral success. If Democrats succeed in showing how they will improve the lives of their constituents, they will remain in power. But we must always take the battle to the right-wing forces.
14m Apr 05, 2023
14m
31: Mich Dems Moving To Dent Gun Violence--3/29/23
LOL's Pat Johnston highlights how Michigan Democrats are using their legislative majority to enact real change when it comes to curbing gun violence. It's a start.
8m Mar 29, 2023
8m
30: Episode 30: Pat's Back! Michigan GOP Tried To Steal Our Election!
Pat is back with a new episode! He goes after Michigan's GOP as it tried to steal the election from Joe Biden.
43m Jan 22, 2021
43m
29: Episode 29: Jody LaMacchia On Running For 46th State House Seat; Pat Calls-Out Right-Wing on COVID-19 & Race Issues
Pat's back and ready to call-out Michigan's right-wing forces that did nothing to help Gov. Whitmer's efforts to combat COVID-19, and how the right-wing remains tone-deaf on race issues. Then, Jody LaMacchia joins Pat to discuss her run for the state house in the 46th District. Finally, Pat shows how Michigan's Republican Party remains in the past while Michigan pushes ahead on LGBTQ issues. 
57m Jun 09, 2020
57m
28: Episode 28: Michigan Republicanism & The Cult--5/2/2020
Pat Johnston talks about how Michigan Republicans rely on The Trump Cult to stop Gov. Whitmer from protecting the state against this pandemic. 
40m May 02, 2020
40m
27: Episode 27: Dave Wagner--Indivisible Michigan--3/1/2020
Pat is geeked that Michigan will play a crucial role in the 2020 Democratic Presidential Primary. Candidates should know about the Blue Wave of 2018 in Michigan, partially because we know the Devos family! Dave Wagner from Indivisible Michigan is the guest this week. And Pat reminds everyone how Democratic Presidents used to fight for Medicare 4 All. 
43m Mar 02, 2020
43m
26: No Michael Bloomberg, and Putting Michigan GOP On Defense 2/23/20
Pat Johnston says Michigan Democrats Must put Republicans on defense regarding health care and treatment of women. Pat wonders why some Michigan Democrats are backing Michael Bloomberg for president despite his obvious flaws. And Pat argues why Democrats taking-on Democrats in other primary races is democracy in action!
37m Feb 23, 2020
37m
25: Guest: Julia Pulver, Democratic state house candidate for Michigan Legislature--1/20/2020
Julia Pulver talks with Pat Johnston about her quest for the state house seat in Michigan's 39th district. Ms. Pulver also covers health care, charter schools, and more. Pat describes why the 2020 state races are just as important as the Presidential election. And Pat talks about that green ooze on I-696 last month, and how it's the perfect metaphor for Republican environmental policies. 
38m Jan 20, 2020
38m