Left of Lansing Left of Lansing

#Michigan #Biden #SCOTUS #Politics #Progressives #Podcast #LeftofLansing

Here's the Left of Lansing "Friday Short" for May 3, 2024.

Generation Z voters are protesting at college campuses across the country, showing their dissatisfaction and disdain for the United States' continued backing of the right-wing Israeli government. 

And for some, refusing to vote for a second Biden Administration term this November is their way of voicing their ultimate displeasure.

For me, I'm equally outraged by the right-wing Israeli government, and I wish the President Biden would change course on our funding of that government. 

But as for this November, I will cast my vote for Biden again because the good still outweighs the bad. 

I detail my reasonsings in the "Friday Short."

Please, subscribe to the podcast, download each episode, and give it a good review if you can!

leftoflansing@gmail.com

leftoflansing.com

Here's Episode 84 of Michigan's premier progressive podcast!

One reason I started this venture is that I wanted to help show the importance of local and state politics. For sure, progressives have made some outstanding strides in terms of state politics with Democrats taking the state trifecta last year for the first time in four decades! But on the local political side, the right-wing has enjoyed some victories on that side. However, that appears to be changing, though, because we've got some big time local recalls happening in different parts of Michigan next week!

There's a recall election happening where an extreme right-wing Ottawa Impact commissioner on the Ottawa County Board of Commissioners is facing a challenger on May 7th. And in Upper Peninsula's Delta County, the people were able to get recall elections in place for three right-wing county commissioners. Those elections also take place on May 7th. One of those challengers returns on the podcast to talk about race. Kelli Van Ginhoven is taking-on Delta Co. Chair David Moyle in her bid to help defeat the MAGA majority. Please, click here to help Kelli in her fight to move Delta County forward.

Kelli’s also the co-founder of Delta County Citizens For Ethical Leadership. 

Local politics matter, and people like Kelli are helping put the cornerstone on a movement for sanity and problem-solving in our local governments. This is the best way to help build a true Blue foundation in many Republican areas across the state.

My opening monologue not only tackles the importance of local elections across our state, but I also highlight a great Michigan Advance article on how "Florida" Mike Rogers still doesn't have a real residence here in the state as he continues running for the Michigan's U.S. Senate seat on the Republican side! How can a guy running for a statewide office not have a real house in said state?

My Last Call is about my visit to Detroit for the NFL Draft. Detroit is making quite the turnaround, and Governor Gretchen Whitmer and Mayor Mike Duggan deserve to take some credit because what a difference a decade can make! Yet, there's still so much more work to be done downtown, including a much-needed transit upgrade!

Please, subscribe to the podcast, download each episode, and give it a good review if you can!

leftoflansing@gmail.com

leftoflansing.com

Here's episode 83 of Michigan's premier progressive podcast!

Salon columnist Amanda Marcotte spends a few minutes talking with Pat about the Christian Nationalist Movement, and its ultimate goal of not just getting Dear Leader Trump back into power, but of ending religious freedom for all. Ms. Marcotte's written extensively on how Christian Nationalists are trying to defund public schools, public libraries, attacking the nation's democratic institutions, attacking abortion rights and women's health care, and also how this movement really is trying to end religious liberty in this country. And they'll do it through violence if need be.

Ms. Marcotte also has a newsletter called, "Standing Room Only." So, please, subscribe to her newsletter! And thank you to Amanda for being on this week!

The opening segment discusses how Dear Leader is once again visiting Michigan next week, but it doesn't appear he'll show his supposed support for union workers by speaking at a non-union business this time! No, he's a bit lazy this time as he'll speak at a Saginaw airplane hanger. But regardless of what he does, his White Christian Nationalists will back him because they see him as their best chance to enact their hateful agenda. 

The "Last Call" shows once again how Michigan Republicans just can't let go of their anger and disdain for union workers. They're calling for a restoration of Right To Work For Less after Democrats repealed that destructive law last year. Combine that with the UAW victories against the Big Three Detroit automakers last Fall, and the stunning UAW win at a Volkswagen plant in Tennessee, workers are beginning to make some significant strides against management. 

The pendulum is turning in the favor of workers , and Republicans will do whatever it takes to thwart that progress.

Please, subscribe to the podcast, download each episode, and give it a good review if you can!

leftoflansing@gmail.com

leftoflansing.com

Here's this week's LoL Friday Short for this April 19, 2024

There's hope new legislation could be introduced in Lansing called The Working Parents Tax Credit. If passed, it could help around 250,000 Michigan kids in just one year. 

Supporters say this tax credit would incentivize work, and reward working families, and recent polling shows widespread support for this proposal.

However, as we saw with the federal child tax credit in 2021, not only did the program cut child poverty in half, but unemployment dropped to record lows. 

That's why the Rx Kids Flint program is something to watch when it comes to investing in our kids' futures. 

It makes more sense investing in people rather than just handing-out millions upon millions of dollars in corporate subsidies, or slashing taxes for the rich, don't you think?

Please, subscribe to the podcast, download each episode, and give it a good review if you can!

leftoflansing@gmail.com

leftoflansing.com

Here's Episode 82 of Michigan's premier progressive podcast!

It's another week. 

That means it's another episode of the Republican Crime Syndicate!

Democratic Attorney General Dana Nessel announced several charges against former Michigan Republican state House Speaker Lee Chatfield, and his wife, Stephanie, for operating a criminal enterprise! Just like Chatfield's hero, Dear Leader Trump, he will soon find himself in a courtroom. And Chatfield also finds himself following in the footsteps of fellow Republican state House Speaker, Rick Johnson! 

This is the Law & Order party?

But while some policymakers work on finding ways to enrich themselves, there are many Michiganders working hard to enrich the lives of others. 

One good example is the Rx Kids program in Flint, which provides a no-strings attached cash allowances to mothers and their babies. Other countries have provided similar programs, and experienced success with fewer premature births, improved cognitive development for infants, and more. The program is a mix of public and private funds, and Governor Gretchen Whitmer is providing more money as part of her 2025 budget proposal. It's about transforming the social contract to expand opportunities for hard-working Michiganders. 

Dr. H. Luke Shaefer is the co-director of the Rx Kids program. Dr. Shaefer is a professor of social justice, social policy and public policy at the University of Michigan, and he gives us insight into Rx Kids, and what it ultimately hopes to achieve. 

And the "Last Call" applauds the Rx Kids program in Flint, and how we hope the program expands to other areas of the state of Michigan. It's a pro-family initiative, and it's a common sense initiative!

Please, subscribe to the podcast, download each episode, and give it a good review if you can!

leftoflansing@gmail.com

leftoflansing.com

Here's this week's LoL "Friday Short" for this April 12, 2024.

The Michigan Board of Education passed a resolution this week asking the Democratic majority in the state legislature to pass laws requiring more transparency and accountability when it comes to charter schools. 

For years, charter schools haven't had to play by the same rules as public schools when it comes to accountability, even though charter schools receive taxpayer money!

This resolution is a start of a movement that should've started long ago, and let's hope Michigan Democrats indeed pass legislation holding these institutions to the same standards as we hold our public schools. 

But school choicers don't want that kind of accountability because it'll hurt their ultimate goal: defunding public schools! 

Read the articles below for more info.

Please, subscribe to the podcast, download each episode, and give it a good review if you can!

leftoflansing@gmail.com

leftoflansing.com

NOTES: 

"State Board of Education resolution seeks greater transparency of Michigan’s charter schools." By Jon King of Michigan Advance.

"Michigan: State Board Passes Resolution To Put Charter Schools Under Same Rules As Public Schools." Diane Ravitch's blog.

"Michigan spends $1B on charter schools but fails to hold them accountable." By Jennifer Dixon of The Detroit Free Press