These questions are based on the “Sex Class Action” article:

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).

Dukes v. Walmart was a case that was filed because the company discriminated against women employees within their pay, alongside promotions. Betty Dukes and 1.5 million other women wanted to file a class action lawsuit against Walmart in order to get monetary compensation. The Supreme Court ruled in Walmart’s favor  and said that Betty and the other women did not have enough in common to constitute a “class”, therefore could not file a class action lawsuit. The Supreme Court ruled 5–4 that they could not proceed with any kind of class action suit because of the lack of commonality. Because the 1.5 million female Wal-Mart employees were not all denied the same promotion, the same pay raise, or insulted, belittled, or obstructed by the same manager in the same store, their cases could not legitimately be litigated all at once

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.

The court system is better suited to protect the individuals of America thus to them not being influenced by public opinions. The Supreme Court has judges that are appointed by the President and will be confirmed by the Senate Judiciary Committee. Cases have shown to be proven that the public opinions does not interfere with constitutional actions. For ex. Brown v. Board proved that the voice of the citizens of America were ignored and silenced and did not interfere with the court system’s effective choices.

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.)

Since the upper class has a hierarchy in terms of their wealth, they are able to use their wealth to pay for the necessary expenses found in campaigning. They are able to afford to spend months openly campaigning to be elected as a congressional member of the United States. These wealthy, upper class Americans will then choose to appoint Supreme Court Judges who have similar values as they do. For example, during the Trump administration, there were more republican representatives in congress, which created a majority that could vote and appoint a more conservative leaning Supreme Court judge, AKA Brett Kavanaugh. So in essence, yes, the supreme court is anti democrsatic. The people can’t make the appointments to the Supreme court, it is only the responsibility of Congress. By association, we elect the supreme court judges, but if the elected officials do not represent our ideals, it can be contradictory. 

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?

P. Williams considered the war on terror to be a new type of war because America didn’t necessarily have any enemies they were battling against, it was just the fear of the unknown, anyone could possibly be a terrorist. The fear of knowing anyone could be plotting to cause damage to the country is completely different from a traditional war. Traditional wars are usually going against a specific opponent or target that addresses confrontation on battlefield with weapons.

1. 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?

The “Roving Wiretaps” violates the fourth amendment since individual’s privacy are being compromised. An individual has the right for their privacy to be protected and implementing the tactic of “roving wiring taps” is very invasive.

1. What about “Sneek and Peek” Warrants?

Citizens have their right to protection thus being that The fourth and fifth amendment protects the right to private property First, it states that a person may not be deprived of property by the government. The act of sneaking into an individuals home is violating that right under any circumstances.

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

My understanding is that the “Establishment Clause” prohibits the establishment of religion created and sustained by congress. While the “Lemon Test” was founded to ensure any law making/passing that will cause a disturbance to freedom of religion.

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

The First Amendment protects the right of people to freedom of speech. So when Texas v. Johnson appeared in court for an action of burning the american flag and Gregory Lee Johnson was convicted for initially disrespecting a venerated object. However, the Supreme Court looked over his actions of burning the american flag, which was considered a form of symbolic speech since the First Amendment protected his actions of the “crime” he initially committed as a citizen’s right for free speech. Ultimately, it was decided that the Texas v. Johnson’s case was deemed unconstitutional and thus the federal government overruled the state court decision. Furthermore, Congress passed a federal law called The Flag Protection Act. 

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

This means that a citizen will have the right to keep silent if they feel their words will be jeopardize themselves. This is adopted from The Fifth Amendment, which protects an individual from self-incrimination.

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

The difference among these roles is the fact that power was separated between the states and the government, however citizens can choose who they want as their government officials by voting. Confederation citizens hold the most authority for the state, so decisions will be admitted through the state. Federal citizens are made up of conjoined systems of both states and the national government. 

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

The separation of the three powers, in other words, the three branches of government represent the essential division of the government, along with separating each power. Additionally, this was created to maintain the balance of the individual power, along with preventing abusing that power. The three branches of government are legislative, executive and judicial.

Legislative – Only council members are allowed to to introduce legislation, and in addition to that, they are a part of the lawmaking effects that goes towards American society. 

Executive – This power is invested towards the President of the United States, who is in charge of executing the country’s rules and regulations, including command and overseer over the U.S. Military, fulfilling his position as a leader of america. 

Judicial – Federal courts, appointed judges that carry out the laws provided by the legislative branch. 

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 has influenced the actions of NY state and local governments by providing citizens with stimulus checks, unemployment, along with other support and resources to restore the american economy. Ensured safety health mechanisms such as requiring citizens to wear masks, encouraged them to get covid testing and vaccinated. 

What concept that we have already discussed does “faction” remind you of?

1. According to Federalist #10 (written by James Madison), what is the source of wealth (private property)? What factor explains why some people get to possess wealth by owning private property, and others don’t (thus remaining poor)? This is a key question, because it shows how the authors of the Constitution thought about the difference between different classes of Americans! HINT: focus on the passage that begins: “The diversity in the faculties (WHAT DOES FACULTIES mean or refer to?) of men, from which the rights of property originate, is not les….”

The source of wealth comes from someone owning an area of land and slaves.  By distinguishing between the rich and the poor, the government gains control over the upward mobility of its citizens. The government, specifically the constitution, is the main factor that determines who stays rich and who stays poor. The construction and  modification of the government during this time keeps the affluent in their own class. 

2. Do you agree with this explanation of wealth and poverty?

I agree with the explanation of wealth and poverty. This is maintained in the current world. The government conditioned its citizens to behave a certain way and has endorsed the policies used that continue the practices. I do not in particular agree with the sentiment that the explanation has. I think that there are ways that people can maintain their wealth, or lose their wealth in an unfortunate circumstance. 

3. What is the core mission (“first object”) of the US government? Does this surprise you, does it sound different from what our society today seems to suggest the core mission of the government is? Explain.

The protection of the facilities (classes) is the first object of the government. The core mission of the US government is to maintain the wealth of the most affluent class. This does not surprise me because I have seen this happening in the current day climate. There is a large portion of the country who is trying to gain upward mobility, and unfortunately it is impossible to do in today’s society. It takes a lot to be rich. 

4. Given the discussion in questions 1-4, are you surprised that Federalist #10 is not in favor of democracy, and supports a Republican (representative) form of government? Why would the author dislike a (pure) democratic form of government? Hint: think about how this question connects with the social classes…

I am not surprised that the paper is in favor of the replublican form of government. They would dislike the democratice form of government because it will allow other citizens (poor) to have a voice and potentially make moves to support other poor citizens.

1. Based on the arguments presented in Readings 6.1 and 6.2, which social class wrote the Constitution, and which class was excluded and not allowed to participate in this process? In your comment, make sure you clearly specify the difference between the two classes by giving examples from the readings.

According to the readings, the social class that wrote the constitution would be considered the upper class thus the insinuation creating “defense of the rich against the poor”. The lower class was not eligible nor able to contribute anything towards the constitution because they weren’t property owners. People such as Native Americans, black people, women, and others were not able to be a part of the making of the constitution because of the class they were represented in. These particular groups of people were considered irrelevant because they didn’t necessarily own  property. 

2. Would say that the social class structure of early United States society was the same as ours today, or different? Explain.

I would say the social class structure that existed previously in United States society is still relevant currently, although it has progressed over the time. There is still “class status” intentionally distinguishing the poor from the rich. I consider that to be label discrimination since the upper class benefits from their overall wealth, which controls many aspects of society financially, politically due to their “wealthy power”. Initially centuries ago, individuals were conditioned to a certain lifestyle based on what class they were born into, so generational wealth was only promised to very few from the very beginning. Reasons why I say individuals were conditioned into the lifestyle we currently endure today because of its traditional structure. We have seen changes but thats comes with time, everything evolves someway, somehow, but the attempt to set up generational wealth was to promote “white privilege”. I say that hence statistically white men make more than both black and white women, so although we may see situated people of color, we must understand the everlasting cycle of those who were always positioned “higher” due to aspects that were necessary to maintain their ignorance over wealth, will always be set in stone to prevail because of the fortunes they can fall back on. 

3. Why were the people who wrote the Constitution so afraid of democracy? Hint: think about how to answer this question by discussing it in terms of social classes

The framers feared the aftermath, along with knowing their wealth would have been in jeopardy against democracy. To protect and maintain their wealth, the constitution was created to balance between the states and the government, organizing the disparities among american society. Including, separating lower classes from having any control of the upper class’s wealth. Ensuring the people wouldn’t have control, as much as they ensured the government didn’t have full control either. 

1. As we learned thus far, the capitalist class consists of people who own wealth, as well as the means of production in American society. An important question in understanding how this class works is to ask: how does a capitalist remain wealthy? The answer to this question depends largely on understanding the diagram M-C-M’. So, let’s practice by explaining what happens in this diagram in our own words (but basing our ideas on Reading 5.1). Respond to the following question:  Explain M-C-M’ to show how capitalists maintain and increase their wealth. (hint: your answer should weave a summary that includes what you reviewed in the self-assessment exercise question 1-7)

Capitalists use their MCM formula to create, maintain, and increase their wealth. MCM is the formula for saying you use money to buy or make commodities and with these commodities you can earn more money. The more money you put in, the more money you should get out of it. With the capitalist mentality, you are able to constantly put more money into your business and further create more money as profit. Surplus value is the result from the profits contributed from laborers.

1. Two key concepts in this video are the means of production and labor. In your comment, explain how you understand the means of production and labor. Give an example of each

According to the video, the means of production is capitalistic production, which is privately owned. Products are sold on a market for profits, so the concept of labor is the only thing that can increase the value capitalists have. Value is dependent on labor, hence to labor being measured by time, minutes, hours and  automated processing. The more labor it takes to make a product, it becomes more valuable. If you’re able to have the product(s) manufactured,  the product will be less valuable because of the decreased labor that went into making the product. An example would be if I were working at McDonalds, my contributions and obligations as an employee is considered labor, while the fryer, oven, food and other aspects are necessarily the means of production.

2. Another important concept in understanding social class is value. Based on the ideas presented in Video 5.1, what is value?  What give “value” to value, what makes something valuable? 

A product’s value will be measured by how much labor goes into the outcome of  making the product. Labor is the only thing that can increase value, with that being said the necessary hours that need to go into production determines value. 

3. How are labor and value related? What’s the relationship/connection between the two?

Labor and value is relatable because in order to produce value, there must be labor. Labor is the connection that contributes to increasing product value. 

4. How do you understand the difference between labor and labor power? Hint:this is a key difference, give it your best shot based on what the video says about it, and your own ideas. We’ll clarify and develop it in our discussions, and in my video comments.

You must sustain labor power through people, thus to labor power not being a form of work nor labor itself. Labor power is a capacity, a potential which can be left fallow or brought into action and which can be used more , when applied it increases the power you have.

5. Surplus Value: what is it? Why is it important to know about, in our study of social classes? Think about an example of surplus value?

Surplus value is the profits made after the initial selling and how much it cost to manufacture the product. Anything an employee makes goes to their bosses’ (capitalists) . As an employee, you will always be paid less than what your labor is worth. Capitalists thrive off employees to increase the value of what is already owned by them, however they need to exploit them (employees) in order to sustain that.