Episodios

  • 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
  • 324: Restoring The Working Class w/ Progressive Michigan Congressional Candidate William Lawrence

    324: Restoring The Working Class w/ Progressive Michigan Congressional Candidate William Lawrence
    Oct 30 2025
    #podcast #politics #progressive #Democrats #Michigan #WilliamLawrence #TomBarrett #Congress #Election2026 #Trump #Republicans #MAGA #GovernmentShutdown #WorkingClass #CleanEnergy #Jobs #Economy #HealthCare #Affordability #CorporateGreed #CorporateCorruption #GovernmentCorruption #JohnJames #Gaza #Authoritarianism #Democracy #LeftOfLansing Here's Episode 154 of Michigan's Premier Progressive Podcast! 00:00-15:49: James No-Show/MAGA Shutdown/Detroit Elections Pat Johnston opens this week's show on MAGA Republican Gubernatorial Candidate John James' refusal to appear at a Republican debate this week. And that's not a big change considering how Congressman James refuses to hold town halls! James supports the Trump Regime/MAGA Republican Government Shutdown that's hurting working class Americans. And Pat concludes the segment talking about some important races in the City of Detroit, including the chance to elect Democratic Socialist Denzel McCampbell on the City Council. 15:50-41:00: William Lawrence For Congress Interview Progressive Democratic candidate for Michigan's 7th Congressional District, William Lawrence, joins the show to talk about his working class campaign. Mr. Lawrence is working to unseat MAGA Republican Congressman Tom Barrett. He shares his progressive activist background in affordable housing and climate change, and why he wants to unite the working class to gain economic security for Michigan families. To learn more about William Lawrence's campaign and plans to uplift the working class, visit his campaign site. 41:47-48:04: Last Call-"Israel-First" Republicans In the Last Call, Pat calls-out some MAGA Republicans who are showing more loyalty towards Israel's right-wing government than they do for working class Americans. And shout-out to Michigan Progressive Democratic State Rep. Dylan Wegela for speaking the truth! 48:05-50:54: 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: William Lawrence Campaign Site "Lansing activist joins the Democratic fray for Michigan’s 7th Congressional District." By Erick Diaz Valiz of Michigan Advance "Progressive activist William Lawrence the latest to launch campaign to run in 7th Congressional District race." By Anna Busse of Michigan Public Radio "Is Denzel McCampbell Detroit’s Zohran Mamdani?." By Malachi Barrett of Bridge Detroit "Michigan health care woes: Insurers leaving, rates rising, subsidies in limbo." By Eli Newman of Bridge Michigan "Michigan House committee continues to probe Gotion after state pulls funding support." By Kyle Davidson of Michigan Advance "Aging Members of Congress Refuse to Disclose Details of Their Top Secret Hospital." By Daniel Bogulslaw of The American Prospect "New Poll: Michiganders More Aligned with Global Consensus Than U.S. Government on Gaza." By Progress Michigan "5 reasons we endorsed Mary Sheffield for Detroit mayor | Opinion." By The Detroit Free Press Editorial Board "Michigan’s attorney general, Lansing mayor call for court action to halt decision pausing SNAP." By Katherine Dailey & Ben Solis of Michigan Advance
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    51 m
  • 323: Monday Musing: Is Whitmer Emulating Trump's Corporate Pay For Play?

    323: Monday Musing: Is Whitmer Emulating Trump's Corporate Pay For Play?
    Oct 27 2025
    #podcast #politics #Progressive #Democrats #Michigan #Trump #MAGA #Republicans #CorporateGreed #CorporateCorruption #GovernmentCorruption #Economy #WorkingClass #Gotion #Whitmer #Democracy #LeftOfLansing

    Here's the Left of Lansing "Monday Musing" for October 27, 2025.

    The Detroit News released a story detailing how some of the corporations that fund Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer's overseas trade missions somehow end-up receiving billions in business incentives.

    Michigan taxpayers have paid billions in so-called "business incentives," with very little to show for it in economic or job activity.

    Whitmer's emulating of Trump's corporate pay for play scheme is not a good way to win over the working class.

    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:

    "Businesses fund Whitmer's overseas travel while getting billions in taxpayer incentives." By Beth LeBlanc & Craig Mauger of The Detroit News "Michigan lawmakers probe Whitmer trade trips, funding links to economic development groups." By Kyle Davidson of Michigan Advance "After Gotion and SOAR, Michigan eyes overhaul of corporate subsidy strategy." By Paula Gardner and Jordyn Hermani of Bridge Michigan
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    4 m