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. Democratic State Representative Kelly Breen On this week’s LOL Podcast, Democratic State Representative Kelly Breen from 21st House District talks with me to discuss a number of…

Left Of Lansing Podcast 35: Michigan Democrats Fixing 40 Years Of Republican 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….

Left Of Lansing Short–Friday, April 21, 2023

Here’s a Left Of Lansing “Short,” as I like to call it. Sometimes, these “shorts” will feature commentary on a specific news item of the day, or perhaps a follow-up on the week’s full podcast. In this one, I expound a bit on what this week’s podcast guest, Democratic State Representative Dylan Wegela, had to…

More Right Wing Terrorism In Michigan

I’d like to know who radicalized this man: A Saginaw optometrist is going to federal prison for 10 months for threatening to harm Black Lives Matter supporters in a series of rants he made over the phone to Starbucks employees, who got an earful about his beef with workers wearing BLM T-shirts. According to court…

Left Of Lansing Podcast–Episode 34: State Rep. Dylan Wegela

It’s time for another episode of the Left Of Lansing Podcast! 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…

Michigan Is Too Old. Democrats Must Pass Laws To Attract Young People

As I mentioned in this week’s episode of LOL, Michigan is getting older: Deaths outnumbered births in all but seven counties in Michigan in the year ending July 2022, new Census figures show, a result of the state’s aging population and the devastating impact of thousands of COVID-19 deaths. That’s 92 percent of Michigan’s 83…

Left Of Lansing Episode 33: Bigotry Is Bad For Business

It’s another episode of the LOL Podcast! Michigan Democrats are banking on Gov. Whitmer’s slogan that “Bigotry Is Bad For Business.” I explain 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…

This Is What I’m Talking About!

New York Democratic Congressman Jamaal Bowman did exactly what I implored all Democrats to do to Republicans in the gun debate: Republicans won’t do SHIT when it comes to gun violence, but try to tell me to calm down. NO. We can’t calm down. People are dying everyday while we wait. pic.twitter.com/38mYYW9cgs — Congressman Jamaal…

Michigan Democrats Trying To Dent Gun Violence

My political point is that I would like politicians to try to reduce the number of dead bodies of children. https://t.co/FH2RqvrsPO — Kevin M. Kruse (@KevinMKruse) March 28, 2023 The recent tragic shooting at a Christian school in Nashville, which killed three children and three staff members, is a scene all too familiar in the…

Pat’s Ponderings For Monday, January 24, 2022

Allow me to reintroduce myself. I’m Pat Johnston, host of the Left of Lansing Podcast, or better known to my more ardent followers, LOL! Back in 2019, I produced a 30-episode podcast devoted to Michigan’s growing progressive political movement. It was something that I dreamt of doing for a long time, and we were able…

Just Call Republicans What They Are: Fascists

Can we please stop being PC and call trump what he is: A fascist. And the gop is the party of fascism. Period. — (((DeanObeidallah))) (@DeanObeidallah) November 21, 2020 Fascism: a governmental system led by a dictator having complete power, forcibly suppressing opposition and criticism, regimenting all industry, commerce, etc., and emphasizing an aggressive nationalism…

Left of Lansing Podcast–Episode 29–Michigan’s Right Wing Fight Against People Of Color & LGBTQ Rights. And Democratic State House Candidate Jody LaMacchia

The 29th episode of the Left Of Lansing Podcast is posted! While ousting the current occupant from The White House of crucial this November, we must also turn Michigan’s legislature blue! Jody LaMacchia is trying to do just that as she’s running for Republican incumbent John Reilly’s state house seat in the 46th District. Reilly…

We Are All Michigan. How COVID-19 & Dam Failures Reveal We Fight For Each Other

It’s certainly been a Spring to remember in Michigan. The COVID-19 pandemic is affecting the entire nation–and world–with Michigan being one of the worst hit states in the union. As of this writing, Michigan has experienced nearly 53,000 positive COVID-19 cases, and over 5,200 deaths. The pandemic is crushing our working class, small businesses, and…

Left of Lansing Podcast–Episode 28–Republicanism & The Cult

The 28th episode of the LOL Podcast is posted! I have plenty to say regarding how right-wing forces in Michigan are attempting to shif blame from President Donald Trump’s gross incompetence and mismanagement of the coronavirus outbreak, and place it Governor Gretchen Whitmer. These forces, such as the extreme Michigan Chamber of Commerce, are pushing…

Michigan Republicans Want To Feed The Virus To Save Trump

Infections are falling, hospitals are stabilizing, because of what we’ve all done – and must continue to do – together. pic.twitter.com/m2UUeKYF53 — David Coulter (@davidwcoulter) April 19, 2020 I’ve read complaints on social media about not being allowed to paint, or fertilize lawns. And look, I get it. It’s frustrating right now. I usually take…

Willing To Die For The New “Cause”

LIBERATE MICHIGAN! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 17, 2020 I have stayed relatively hopeful up until this last week. People are showing a serious lapse in character and judgement. — Allison R. Donahue (@donahual) April 15, 2020 I started getting the sense of the simmering right-wing outrage over stay-in-shelter orders in state-after-state probably in…

Like a Good Little Cult, Michigan GOP Following Dear Leader During Pandemic

April, 14, 2020 I find it astounding as I listen to Michigan’s right-wing fringe deem gardening and speed-boating more important than saving lives. By the way, who in Michigan does heavy gardening in April? For the record, we don’t begin planting in our garden until May. Sorry, I’ll be 100% honest: The LOL technical adviser,…

Left of Lansing–Episode 27–Dave Wagner from Indivisible Michigan–3/1/2020

Another brand new episode of The Left of Lansing Podcast is posted! This week, Dave Wagner from the Indivisible Michigan joins the podcast. Indivisible Michigan is fighting to turn Michigan’s state legislature not only blue, but deep progressive blue as it highlights candidates with progressive spines. We talk about how Indivisible started, how it’s changing…

Left of Lansing Podcast–Episode 26: Value the Women’s Vote; Force GOP To Defend Health Care Stance; Why Bloomberg?

A new episode of the Left of Lansing Podcast is back! On this podcast, I point-out how Michigan Republicans are teeing-it-up for Michigan Democrats to win in 2020. –Michigan Republicans just can’t help their misogynistic ways, and progressives should put them on the defensive for their anti-women stances. –Michigan Republicans implemented work requirements for hard-working…

Who is Left of Lansing?

This blog serves as a side dish to what is known as the “Left of Lansing” podcast.  I’ve been wanting to do my very own podcast focused on progressive politics and pop culture for a long time. And thanks to the help of many, we finally got the podcast off-the-round! As my show voice says…