1. What did the Supreme Court decide in the Wal-Mart case? And more importantly, how did it justify its decision? (HINT: the key word here is “commonality” (and how it related to “class-action lawsuit”). Try to understand what this legal terms means, as it is key to the court’s decision)

The supreme Court did not want to rule it was a class action case only because every woman’s situation was different and they were not all under the same supervisor where they felt discriminated. Not all 1.5 million women were a belittled or insulted by the same supervisor, or rejected for the same position. The lawyers did try to find commonality to rule as class action due to the amount of pay they were receiving versus male employees pay. That was not enough to go on.

1. In what ways is the court system better suited to protect the individual, than are the elected branches of government (such as Congress and the President; or the Mayor of NYC and the NYC City Assembly)? Give an example to illustrate your argument.

This is why the bill of rights and the constitution were made. The court system follows due process where we have a chance to protect ourselves against government, society. The bill of rights are there to protect us in mostly everything illegal not giving the government complete control over our lives and following what is just and fair .

2. Think about how federal judges get to become judges – unlike Presidents, Mayors and members of Congress (and other legislatures), they are not elected, but rather appointed. Many Americans have thus called the federal courts system, and especially the Supreme Court, anti-democratic PLACES IN OUR GOVERNMENT. Do you agree that the Supreme Court, for example, is an anti-democratic part of our government? What could be the reason for this way of choosing judges in federal courts? (HINT: think about our discussion of “Federalist #10”, and which social class plays a leading role in our government system.)

yes I agree.I believe we should also have a vote in who our judges are as well just as how we are able to vote for the president etc.. Judges have way too much power for decision making in a persons life.A position like that very delicate and the right people have to be in place for matters like of that sort.This is why three branches were made so one branch wouldn’t more superior than the other but come together and to make it as fair as it can be for the people.

1.P. Williams writes in her essay, that the war on terror is a new type of a war. What’s new about it, how is it different from traditional wars?

The war she talks about about is very broad. As in a war having to do being suspicious with anyone around you. Civilians overall. You just never know who in your own country can be against the United States themselves in helping terrorist from inside the United States.

2.In what ways does the “Roving Wiretaps” of the Patriot Act seem to violate the Bill of Rights? Which amendment(s) does it seem to violate and why

Wiretapping violates the fourth amendment. It violates the fourth amendment right because it’s violating ones privacy.

3.What about “Sneek and Peek” Warrants

sneak and peek warrant also violates your fourth amendment. Sneak and peak warrants are able to go into your home violate your privacy when you aren’t even in your home to protect yourself just in case any Officer abuses their power with any corruption that is possible to happen an individual isn’t there to witness anything.

1.Describe how you understand the “Establishment Clause” and the related “Lemon Test”

To my understanding the establishment clause prohibits the government to establish a religion. Prohibits also for the government not to favor any religion over another. The lemon test is rules the government goes by to separate government from religion and making sure government isn’t overstepping and going according to how government handles religion fairly.

2.Is burning the US flag protected by the First Amendment? Explain by referring to the relevant court case discussed in the reading.

yes burning of a US flag is protected by the first amendment. In earlier times they did arrest someone for the burning of the flag but then later change the law and protected those who wanted to do so.freedom of expression.

3.What does it mean when someone says “I’m taking the Fifth”

It means they’re protecting their right to stay silent to not self incriminate themselves during trial court cases.

1.Describe the primary differences in the role of citizens in government, among the federal, confederation, and unitary systems.

In a unitary system, authority is concentrated in central government. Federation, authority is divided between central and state governments and his derived from the people. Confederation authority is concentrated in states.

2.Briefly explain how you understand the system of division of power.

To my understanding to have a successful running government there has to be a division of powers to execute the fairness for all people. 3 Government branches. The first being the legislative branch. Where there is two senators from each state therefore making it even more equal for us the people to have a voice. The senators are going to voice what’s in the best interest of their state. The second being executive branch which has everything to do with the president. The third being the judicial branch which has everything to do with our courts. The division of powers had to be done so no branch feels more powerful than the other. When one branch makes a decision all the other branches would have to agree, following a process and as I mentioned having senators from each state voicing their opinion of their best interests for their states, making it fair in lawmaking because it’s not only up to one person but us as a whole, the American people.

3.How does the federal government shape the actions of state and local governments? Write your answer based on doing a bit of research on how the federal government has influenced the actions of NY state and local governments, during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The federal government primarily shapes the actions of state and local governments by distributing grants, imposing mandates and setting national standards, which often come with funding attached, thereby influencing how states implement policies in areas like healthcare, education, infrastructure, and environmental protection, essentially “encouraging” states to act in certain ways to access federal funds according to google. One example of this is during the COVID-19 pandemic the federal government were mandating for everyone to get COVID-19 vaccinations if not they were not able to continue working or even allowed in certain establishments without it. This is a perfect example of how federal government tries to control the people. People having no choice but to make that decision of the federal government mandating it because without the vaccinations people would not be able to work and make money to survive and live their life ,so the government make rules for us to follow when they want to shape how they want American to be structured.

1. Faction I believe to me reminds me of the inequality with the wealthy and poor “working class”. The wealth has its own group of their passions and interests in maintaining their wealth by having the working class work for them to make the wealthy more wealthy.

2. According to the federalist #10 what is explain is how wealth is property. It’s states how men have the right to properties and the protection of the government to help keep these rights “the first object of government ” therefore causing a separation from other parties.

3. According to the readings, in early America there was inequality , very unfair, separation between the wealthy and the poor same as currently today in society. To own property does not mean that you are wealthy due to for example, being a homeowner you can own that piece of land the Home is on doesn’t make you wealthy by owning property in today’s society. Wealth is to be able to not have to work and make money off of people working for you, big businesses, big establishments etc where constantly making profits .

4. I am not surprised at all that what was favored was a republic. For early America they believe in not wanting to please the people, give them a voice. They believe in having so much power for just the wealthy above all and protecting the wealthy from the poor as what was in mind when the constitution was written.

1. Based on the reading the ” rich and wellborn” class wrote the constitution. Stated to protect themselves from the poor. Early times the reading states white males can only vote. Excluded were the Native American persons of African descent, women, indentured servants and white males lacking sufficient property. The wealthy would be land owners, bankers etc. The poor class were the opposite and did not have any wealth.
2. The social class structure in early U.S society I would say it’s still similar in Current today society. The capitalist still on top and wealthy and the working class having to work every day to make a living to have that labor power to do it all again everyday.
3. In the reading it states it was the worst of political evils and urged Not to make a document to “please the people” According to Alexander Hamilton the first are the rich and Wellborn and ask for the other people he states the people are turbulent and changing.

1. wealth inequality is always going to be in society as stated on page 29, “if you are not rich, it is because you like the foresight to pick the right parents at birth” to my understanding in the reading is the class is usually inherited.Stated on page 29 “rags to riches is rare”. The wealthy would not be wealthy if I wasn’t for the help of workers .Without labor nothing would be possible. Marx had mentioned capitalist is sustained by exploiting the working class and this will always be unfair.
2. we see the inequality now in society. Example would be the election, how so much money going into this one election with many people having to work to make the election happen. Making the wealthy more wealthier. The working class has to work to make money because they do not have the luxury of wealth.

1. To my understanding how the wealthy stay wealthy is by continuing to the structure they have in place (m-c-m)The wealthy buy product and then resell the same product for more money then what they bought it for, making more profits. The wealthy well continue to do this over and over and have the working labor and sell it for them. In the end the working class is working and not being given what the labor is actually worth.