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Here's the Left of Lansing "Monday Musing" for June 17, 2024

The right-wing White Christian Nationalist activist group Turning Points USA showed-up in Detroit last weekend to spread its hateful and dangerous message to its followers. 

Its leader, millennial wonderboy Charlie Kirk, is becoming the new face of right-wing extremism. But if he and his people are able to capture just a fraction of long-time Democratic voters, then the country is in deep trouble this November. 

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NOTES:

North Dakota Republican Governor Kristi Noem's "call to arms" speech during Turning Points USA speech in Detroit.

"Charlie Kirk once pushed a 'secular worldview.' Now he's fighting to make America Christian again." By Mike Hixenbaugh and Allan Smith of NBC News

Here's the Left of Lansing "Friday Short" for June 14, 2024

A recent Wallethub survey revealed that Ohio has one of the worst state economies, ranking 42nd in the country which is the 10th worst state!

Michigan, meanwhile, is ranks 19th. That far surpasses both Ohio, and Indiana, which ranks 39th. 

One would think the further Ohio's government continues to travel down the weird, right-wing MAGA Republican rabbit hole, the better things would most certainly guess!

I hope you're getting my sarcasm.

Enjoy!

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NOTES:

"Ohio has one of the worst economies in the US, according to recent study." By Mariyam Muhammad of The Columbus Dispatch

"Best & Worst State Economies (2024). By Adam McCann of Wallethub.com

"Editorial: Ohio economy falling." By The Blade editorial staff

Proposal by Michigan Democratic state Reps. Wegela and Dievendorf to remove more money from SOAR towards housing.

It's Episode 90 of Michigan's premier progressive podcast!

On this week's show, Pat speaks with Danielle Atkinson, executive director and founder of Mothering Justice, which is an organization working to empower mothers of color through public policy. Mothering Justice is part of a coalition demanding the Democratic majority in the Michigan legislature to vote on paid family leave bills--bills that have yet to receive a hearing even though they were introduced last year! This is a beautiful chance for Democrats to demonstrate how they truly care about the working class, not to mention how passing paid family leave would help them retain their slim majority in Lansing! 

Before Danielle joins this week's show, Pat spends the first segment talking about the continued improving economy, and why Biden and the Democrats should celebrate the good news of cooling inflation and corporations scaling-back on their rampant greedflation. It's not to say the economy is perfect. It's not, and millions of working people need help and are feeling squeezed, which is why a paid family leave bill would help even the playing field in Michigan. However, with cooling inflation and greedflation, and low unemployment, Democrats must remind voters how they once again saved the country from another failed MAGA Republican administration. 

The "Last Call" covers another example of a Michigan MAGA Republican bobbing-and-weaving when cornered on whether or not they'd support a national abortion ban if elected to the U.S. Senate. But make no mistake. Every MAGA Republican wants to ban all abortion care, and contraception, in order to show how government can control and limit the freedom for women.

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

Visit the episode page for a full list of the show notes.

Here's the Monday Musing for June 10, 2024

Michigan Republicans in the state House introduced a bill making the AR-15 the official state rifle. They introduced it on the week of Gun Violence Awareness Day.

And they introduced it for two reasons: To own the libs, and to show the libs how they're ready to take over power through violence, or the threat of violence. 

Remember, Democrats passed sensible gun safety measures to save lives. Republicans is more concerned about their donations from gun manufacturers. 

And that's "pro-life?"

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NOTES:
 

"Michigan Republicans introduce legislation allowing guns in college campuses." By Anna Gustafson of Michigan Advance







"Michigan Republicans introduce permitless carry legislation, aim to deregulate gun ownership." By Lily Guiney of Michigan Advance

Here's the Left of Lansing Friday Short for June 7, 2024

The Guardian's Jon Henley wrote about a study conducted by European political scientists, which showed when center-left parties in Europe adopt right-wing policies, the center-left parties suffer at the polls. 

These researchers conclude that when center-left parties move further to the center, they end up failing to capture right-wing voters, and they alienate their progressive base voters.

This just confirms what many of us have always said here in the United States. It's why Michigan Democrats must run on the popular policies they've made into law, and on the policies they should pass, including paid family leave and polluter pay.

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: 

"Adopting rightwing policies ‘does not help centre-left win votes.’" By Jon Henley of The Guardian

"As youth poverty spikes, Manchin has no regrets on Child Tax Credit." By Joseph Zeballos-Roig of Semafor

"Manchin Registers as Independent." By Senator Joe Manchin

Here's episode 89 of Michigan's premier progressive podcast.

Happy Conviction Week!

Michigan Republicans continue having a collective meltdown after their Dear Leader was found guilty of committing 34 felonies in New York. Republicans call the trial a "sham," and "un-American," as they keep degrading our judicial system. Pat shares the unhinged statements from many Michigan Republicans in both Congress and the state legislature after the verdict. This is part of a pattern by Michigan Republicans to destroy the institutions of our democratic republic. And he calls-out some of these state Republicans, including Congresspeople Jack Bergman, Tim Walberg, and Lisa McClain for putting their party, and Trump, above country. 

Democrats had better quickly come to that conclusion, or else they'll find these Christian Nationalists in charge of our national and state governments. 

In the "Last Call," Pat asks congressional Democrats to boycott Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's address to a joint session of Congress on June 13th. Netanyahu's not only been charged for war crimes over Israel's war in Gaza, but he's been disastrously wrong repeatedly, costing the United States in lives and treasure. No Michigan Democrat should attend this propaganda stunt. 

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