I drive 3 GM vehicles regularly, 78 el camino, 94 Lumina, 95 Astro van. On all three the left front brake always drags and locks up first. Is this normal?
My thinking is that it is closest to the MC so it gets pressure faster.

With wheels on the same circuit (both front wheels should be on the same circuit) with all things being equal and everything in good working order, it shouldn't matter which wheel is closest to the MC, they should apply at the same time and at the same rate. There is a problem somewhere.

Your first clue is where you say that the left front always drags, it shouldn't. I sounds like the left front is not retracting as it should. Start with a flush and refill of the brake fluid and if the problem persists the left front caliper and/or flex hose are probably faulty.