Blog
Democrats Overturn Party Elections
Full disclosure: I am a founding member of the MISolidarity team. MISolidarity is a grassroots organization working for democracy and progressive policies at every level of politics. Remember 2018 when McConnell and Republicans held a 52 to 48 majority in the Senate?...
A New Era in the MDP
This week, MISolidarity is conducting an open primary election in each CD for spots on the Solidarity Slate. The people of each CD will decide who should and who should not stand for election to represent them on the State Central Committee. More than 100 candidates are running in the MISolidarity primaries across the state, from Ironwood to Detroit.
The Unconventional Call to Convention
The Call also says that none of the elections for Convention Committees matter in the slightest, because CD Chairs can just decide who gets on to these Committees regardless of what the members decided by their vote at the election. From the Call to Convention: “the Congressional District Chairperson shall have the final responsibility for approving appointments to Convention committees”. It doesn’t matter how you vote, your CD Chair has the right to approve or disapprove any decision made by the membership, according to the Call. Nothing in the MDP rules suggests this is allowed. Nothing in Robert’s Rules of Order (Party rules default to Robert’s Rules on issues they don’t address) suggests this is allowed. It’s just a power grab.
Progress Report 2020: The Political Revolution In Michigan
Four years into the political revolution in Michigan, progressives and leftists have won many victories large and small. Here’s my report on the accomplishments and setbacks of the progressive insurgency in the Michigan Democratic Party (MDP) over our first four years. All offset quotes are language the progressive movement added to the 2020 MDP platform.
Responding to Senator Lee on Democracy
The common theme underlying virtually every Republican talking point is the people must never wield power. For example, when Republicans talk about the Electoral College, they recoil in terror from the dreaded “tyranny of the majority.” What’s the difference between “tyranny of the majority” and “majority rules?” Absolutely nothing. The first is just a derogatory way of saying the second. The Senate, the House, the Supreme Court – every branch of our government where more than one person holds power uses majority rule. Is the normal operation of the House, Senate, or Court “tyranny of the majority”? Why aren’t Senator Lee and other Republicans screaming about “tyranny of the majority” in Congress and the Court?
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#1 - Recreational Marijuana & Proposal 1 (w/Jamie Lowell, Gillian Dawson & Shauna McNally)
Dec 29, 2018 • 56:16
On this State of the Revolution, Liano Sharon and guest host Dr. Shauna McNally discuss Proposal 1 (recreational marijuana) with guests Gillian Dawson (Michigan Democratic Party Cannabis Caucus Chair) and Jaime Lowell (MI Legalize board member and co-author of Prop 1). State of the Revolution is a weekly broadcast bringing…
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#2 - MI Gubernatorial Election 2018 (w/Jennifer Kurland, Ayman Khafagi & Tanya Sharon)
Dec 29, 2018 • 1:34:24
On this State of the Revolution, Liano Sharon and guest host Tanya Sharon discuss the 2018 gubernatorial election in Michigan with guests Jennifer Kurland (Green Party candidate for governor) and Dr. Ayman Khafagi (vice chair of the Michigan Democratic Party Progressive Caucus) who argues the leftist case for supporting Gretchen…
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#3 - Proposal 2: Ending Gerrymandering (w/Walt Sorg & Steve Monti)
Dec 29, 2018 • 1:06:47
On this State of the Revolution, Walt Sorg (Voters Not Politicians co-founder) and Steve Monti (Lansing progressive activist) join Liano Sharon to discuss Ballot Proposal 18-2. State of the Revolution is a weekly broadcast bringing you stories from grassroots activists, discussions of big ideas and current events, with a focus…
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#4 - Proposal 3: Promote the Vote (w/Fred Fry & Kelly Collison)
Dec 29, 2018 • 1:28:49
On this State of the Revolution, Fred Fry (Promote the Vote volunteer) and Kelly Collison (Michigan Democratic Party Progressive Caucus chair) join Liano Sharon to discuss Ballot Proposal 18-3 (increase voter access). State of the Revolution is a weekly broadcast bringing you stories from grassroots activists, discussions of big ideas…
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#6 - Midterms, Moving Forward (w/Yousef Rabhi, Desirae Simmons & Hudson Villeneuve)
Dec 29, 2018 • 1:35:55
On this State of the Revolution, State Representative Yousef Rabhi, Desirae Simmons (former independent city council candidate), and Hudson Villeneuve (NextGen organizer) join Liano Sharon to discuss the recent midterm elections and where we go from here. State of the Revolution is a weekly broadcast bringing you stories from grassroots…
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#7 - Our Shifting Political Landscape (w/Mark Grebner)
Dec 29, 2018 • 1:13:13
On this State of the Revolution, Mark Grebner (Michigan polling and election statistics analyst) joins Liano Sharon to discuss data, cultural changes, party politics, and what they mean for future elections. Get the extended version of this episode and help support the show by becoming a patron at https://www.patreon.com/michiganprogressive. State…
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#8 - Organizing the Green New Deal (w/Sunrise Movement & Andrew Nowicki)
Dec 29, 2018 • 57:39
On this State of the Revolution, Sunrise Movement organizers Shelby and Nicholas join Liano Sharon and environmental educator Andrew Nowicki to discuss the Green New Deal. Learn more about Sunrise at https://www.sunrisemovement.org/. Get the extended version of this episode and help support the show by becoming a patron at https://www.patreon.com/michiganprogressive.…
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#9 - MI Republicans Disdain Democracy (w/Kelly Collison & Zackary Reinhardt)
Dec 29, 2018 • 1:02:52
On this State of the Revolution, Kelly Collison and Zackary Reihnhardt join Liano Sharon to talk Michigan lame-duck, the upcoming Michigan Democratic Party elections, and potential 2020 presidential candidates. Get the extended version of this episode and help support the show by becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/michiganprogressive. State of the…
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#10 - Now That Marijuana's Legal... (w/Ryan Basore)
Dec 29, 2018 • 1:06:52
On this State of the Revolution, Liano Sharon and Samuel Klahn discuss the protests in France, the Senate vote to end US support for the war in Yemen, Michigan’s lame-duck session, and talk to Ryan Basore about the future of marijuana policy. Get the full version of this episode and…
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#11 - County Government, Local Politics & Injured Water Fowl (w/Jason Morgan)
Dec 30, 2018 • 1:15:11
On this State of the Revolution, Liano Sharon and Leaha Dotson discuss housing affordability, the Michigan legislature’s lame duck debacle, and talk with Washtenaw County Commissioner Jason Morgan about County government and local politics. Get the full version of this episode and help support the show by becoming a patron…