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Parenting Reflection

Retrospectively, this week was surprisingly exhausting. I now realize that there are many sacrifices you have to make as a parent, as well as many difficult decisions that effect not only yourself but your child(ren). I find myself feeling thankful for everything that my parents have done when it comes to raising my siblings and I, because I realize how difficult it must’ve been. Whether it was juggling schedules, or deciding what to make for dinner, every decision was critical in shaping the person that I am.

One of the most valuable lessons I learned was the development of a child. I think that it is important to know that logic doesn’t work for young children, and that there are more effective ways of discipline rather than getting frustrated. Furthermore, I learned that there are behavioral stages of development, which change easily and rapidly with each coming year. This knowledge with definitely come to use when raising my own children, or even babysitting or dealing with my own younger siblings.

In general, raising the flour babies was similar to raising actual children due to the tangible responsibility of carrying them around, however very different due to the lack of seriousness. There did not exist the same heavy responsibility of raising a functioning human being, nor did it exist the obligation to keep them alive through eating/sleeping etc. Obviously, this assignment was ‘pretend’ and didn’t truly simulate the true implications of raising a baby.

Lastly, I believe that the biggest challenge of being a teen parent is the fact that you are still a child yourself. While you can technically take care of a child and keep it alive, you yourself are still growing and developing. Teens have a lot on their plates because they have busy schedules and they are still in the process of finding themselves. They are still figuring out who they are, and what they want, and this can be complicated with a baby (who need their full attention) on their hands.

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Preschool Years

As three year olds, Zack and Cody were able to recall memories. Furthermore, they are now able to distinguish right from wrong through a punishment/reward system. Both are very friendly and imaginative. They play with each other and other children. They even had their first play date! We went to the park with some kids from their day care. It was fun, although Cody was afraid of heights, therefore she mainly stayed in the sand box while Zack went up and down the slides. In addition, they can now dress themselves, feed themselves, and they love drawing/coloring! Both Zack and Cody can now speak a lot, and they love reading!

At four yeas old, Zack and Cody have the wildest imaginations! They are joyous, energetic, and are extremely curious and ready for anything. They love experiencing new things and are very silly. They often exaggerate and have vivid dreams/nightmares which they can recall. They are well behaved and have a clearer understanding of right from wrong.

Generally, our parenting style is within the authoritative parenting style. While we have clear rules, we make sure that Zack and Cody understand the reasoning behind them. Despite the clear distinction of authority figures, we still have a close “friendship” like relationship with the children. For example, we will often play with and discuss with the children, although we will still discipline them while listening to them. We try our best to be nurturing, understanding, and supportive. In one instance, Zack had stolen a toy car from the store. In response, we took away technology for two weeks and made him apologize and return the toy. We carefully explained why stealing is wrong and made sure that he wouldn’t do it again.

https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-authoritative-parenting-2794956

Photo 1: Three year old twins reading their favorite book before bed!

Photo 2: Four year old twins watching their favorite show!

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parenting scenario- biting

Cody has been biting other children, specifically her brother, and after some research I have discovered that it may be for a couple of reasons. It could be to relieve pain from teething, experience the sensation of biting, communicate strong feelings, feel in control, to get attention, or to act in self defense. It’s recommended that after this behavior persists for some time and/or becomes a habit, strategies to overcome it include being aware of the signs before an episode, providing foods with a variety of textures to appease the sensory needs, and lastly educating your child about acceptable forms of communication. Effective communication will provide a better opportunity for the child to make choices, feel heard, and feel empowered. Lastly. positive reinforcement is also a good tool.

https://www.naeyc.org/our-work/families/understanding-and-responding-children-who-bite

https://www.zerotothree.org/resources/232-toddlers-and-biting-finding-the-right-response

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Toddler Years

As one-year-olds, Zack and Cody have said their first words! Zack’s was “mom” and Cody’s was “dad”, fittingly. Furthermore, they are able to feed themselves. However this often just leads to more mess. While Zack is open to eating just about anything, Cody is pickier. She only prefers certain vegetable baby foods. Even so, both have tripled their birth weights, and they sleep 10-12 hours/night. Cody loves nap time, but Zack is very resistant. By this age, both began walking at a similar time, although Zack was the first of the two. Both of them are a handful. I often find them climbing out of their crib or playpen, as well as climbing up and down stairs. Because of this, we’ve has to baby proof the house with locks and fences. Zack and Cody are both very loveable, friendly, sociable, and they love to play, although we still have the occasional tantrum.

As two-year-olds, the twins are better able to communicate, and they partake in mimicking behavior as well as parallel play between them both. Even so, they have short attention spans, even though they now find interest in activities that require fine motor skills such as coloring or puzzles which require more focus. This often results in messes. 

Some major parenting decisions that we had to make in these stages was the amount that we should expose them to television and electronics, especially because we needed to formulate a daily routine. Generally, this was one of the biggest challenges as a parent because of the varying opinions of other parents, as well as pressure from the “age of technology” that we and our kids live in. While technology can be a great educational tool, as well as a quiet distraction, it can have harmful effects physically and socially. This is why we decided to limit our childrens’ use of technology and television. Our rules were as follows: No more than 2 hours a day, Not when eating/at the table, Not before “important” things are done (brushing teeth, eating, etc.), and not before bed.

https://www.verywellfamily.com/kids-and-technology-when-to-limit-it-and-how-621145

Photo: One-year-old twins with their giant cuddly toys!

Photo: Two-year-old twins coloring! 

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Infancy

Looking back on the first year in Zack and Cody’s lives, the time has really flown by! Both have experienced a number of milestones that signify their development. While they are identical twins, Zack and Cody were at different stages of development at different times. Zack had been on track in terms of motor development, while Cody was a late bloomer, while Cody prematurely displayed signs of significant social development while Zack was late. By four months, Zack could roll over while Cody couldn’t do this until 6 months, which was when Zack had already begun to crawl and sit unsupported. Cody soon followed at 7 months, where she was finally able to match the abilities of her brother. In contrast, Cody was much more advanced socially. Immediately after birth, she was able to recognize our voices/presences, and after a month, she laughed/smiled/responded accordingly to her surroundings. Furthermore, at 7-8 months, Cody developed the sense of object permanence, as well as a strong attachment, while Zack was still fairly oblivious and indifferent. Even so, at 1 year, the twins are finally at an equal stage of development. Initially, this skewed path of development was a cause for concern. However, the doctors assured us that there is really no ‘right’ time, more like a general time frame.

Over the course of this year, there have been plenty of difficult parenting decisions we’ve had to make. However, the biggest and most significant was most likely the decision to become a stay at home mother, or my decision to work primarily from home. During to year, I began feeling guilty about my partner and I not spending as much valued time with the infants as I would have liked, as well as a sense of guilt for burdening others with the twins. After some deliberation, we came to the consensus that I would work from home, and sacrifice my ambitious career. While this would not really affect our household income, I had heard about women who face depression upon becoming a stay at home moms, however almost a year after the transition, I can say for myself that I have faced none of those problems. I find that I am happy, and the twins are happy and comfortable not being at daycare. Lastly, I found that our familial bond has strengthened. 

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/adventures-in-old-age/201105/are-stay-home-moms-happier

Photo: The twins sitting unsupported!

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Pregnancy

I am Ashley, and I am having twins- one boy and one girl! The boy’s name is Zack, and the girl’s name is Cody. Zack was born first, and two minutes later Cody was born. Both children are biological, and have experienced a considerable number of milestones in prenatal development now that they have been born. While twins do not run in either side of the family, it is no surprise that they are not fraternal twins, but identical. This means that after fertilization, they were formed from the same zygote that eventually split into two identical embryos. Throughout the first 10 weeks (the remainder of the first trimester), the embryos face a critical stage of development where the beginnings of limbs/other features, as well as all major body organs and systems, are developed (but not yet completed). By the eighth week, they are considered fetuses. In the second trimester, the fetuses are able to hear and move, as well as sleep and wake at normal intervals. Features such as skin, eyes, teeth, and genitalia continue to develop, as well as other necessary systems. This stage of development can last up until week 30. In the third trimester, body growth slows down while brain growth continues rapidly. The babies can now respond to light and sound. Overall, my experience with pregnancy was quite awful. Due to the fact that I was having twins, I was considerably larger earlier in the pregnancy, which only worsened as I neared the second and third trimesters. Additionally, I experienced severe morning sickness, which is a common side-effect with all pregnancies, but especially so when having twins. My life had not changed drastically. However, I did experience intense and random cravings for food, as well as decreased patience due to occasional discomfort. Overall, the pregnancy was fairly normal and without any complications. Throughout the pregnancy, in order to ensure the babies’ healthy development, I made sure to take plenty of vitamins and supplements, which would potentially enhance brain development and body development, leading to healthy and well-developed babies. Furthermore, because the babies took oxygen from my blood and nutrients from the foods that I consumed, I made sure to sleep and eat well due to the fact that whatever I did directly translated to them. Upon entering the world, the babies will be raised by both biological parents, as well as loving relatives/family-friends. Not only will having both biological parents/a good and supportive environment increase stability, but it also decreases the risks of future negative behaviors according to research. Having a good family structure and influences positively affect childhood development for years down the road. Personally, I believe the biggest challenges for me as a parent will be juggling schedules, especially when trying to further my career and be an active role in their lives. Fortunately, however, I will have plenty of help and support from the twins’ father and their grandmother/aunts/uncles. In conclusion, I hope that Zack and Cody will grow to be happy and healthy. 

https://ifstudies.org/blog/when-it-comes-to-child-well-being-is-one-parent-the-same-as-two

https://www.livingandloving.co.za/pregancy-blogs/10-twin-pregnancy-symptoms-look

https://living.thebump.com/data-single-parent-vs-dual-parent-households-15860.html

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Flour Baby Home Description

My flour babies will be raised by me, their biological mother, as well as their biological father. Additionally, they will be surrounded by their extended family. This includes their grandmother, who resides in the home, as well as their aunts and uncles (including godparents) who visit frequently. The environment is warm, caring, and lively, and aside from the babies’ parents, there is always an extra set of hands to help out. While the parents are working, they will be taken care of by their relatives, or they will attend daycare if said relatives are unavailable. While I, the mother, do work, my job is very flexible and I am able to work from home or take the twins with me.

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Blog Post #9 Infographic

Works Cited

Hodjat, Arya. “White House Declares War on Poverty 'Largely Over'.” VOA, VOA, 13 July 2018, www.voanews.com/a/white-house-declares-war-on-poverty-largely-over-/4482103.html.

Page, Marianne, and Ann Huff Stevens. “How to Reduce Poverty in the United States.” UC Davis Center for Poverty Research, 2015, poverty.ucdavis.edu/post/how-reduce-poverty-united-states.

Sanger-Katz, Margot, and Tankersley, Jim. “Declaring War on Poverty ‘Largely Over,’ White House Urges Work Requirements for Aid.” New York Times, New York Times, 12 July 2018,

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/12/us/politics/white-house-war-on-poverty-work-requirements.html

“The Population of Poverty USA.” Homepage | Poverty USA, www.povertyusa.org/facts.

US Census Bureau. “Poverty.” Census Bureau QuickFacts, United States Census Bureau, 12 Sept. 2018, www.census.gov/topics/income-poverty/poverty.html.

Vallas, Rebecca, and Melissa Boteach. “The Top 10 Solutions to Cut Poverty and Grow the Middle Class.” Center for American Progress, 17 Sept. 2014, www.americanprogress.org/issues/poverty/news/2014/09/17/97287/the-top-10-solutions-to-cut-poverty-and-grow-the-middle-class/.

#Poverty.” Countable, Countable, www.countable.us/issues/poverty.

“10 Facts about Poverty in the United States.” The Borgen Project, 28 Oct. 2018, borgenproject.org/10-facts-about-poverty-in-the-united-states/.

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Civic Action Assessment of Issue

1) As citizens, in relation to poverty and income inequality, not much can be done to necessarily solve the issue, but more to alleviate its effects and push for change. Giving to the less fortunate and helping those in need is a direct approach that can be taken on an individual level, but in order to truly create necessary change, citizens need to be activists and push for the changes they want to see, whether that be through meetings, demonstrations, or letters. In general, in order to see the changes in legislation, citizens need to voice their opinions to government, who are the only ones who can truly create lasting change with these issues.

2) In this class I have learned a lot about civic responsibility. Most importantly, I have learned that civic responsibility is necessary to the function of the country. Civic responsibility is much bigger than any one individual, it is a duty to the well being of the country as a whole, and doesn’t mean just paying taxes or obeying laws. I’ve learned that it makes individuals in society accountable for the bettering of the communities they live in.

3) Personally, I feel as though it is not solely any individuals responsibility to address the problems that poverty and income inequality have created, although they are a necessary step in the process of creating viable change. I believe that true and lasting change will have to come from legislation in order to properly address these issues, however change will ultimately have to stem from those who are most directly affected by it or aware of it, which are the citizens. As stated earlier, citizens can do their best to alleviate the problems, however in order to witness full change, they need to become activists and push for proper legislation.

4) Yes, during the mock election at Acalanes High School, I educated my peers about one of the propositions on the ballot (Prop 10). My group created a presentation that described the proposition, its effects, and the pros and cons of voting yes or no on the proposition. Prop 10 was related to rent control which allowed me to explore in depth about a current problem related to my civic action issue. From this experience, I learned that citizens can be decisive voices in change, however they must first push for the changes in order to get them on the ballot.

5) In the future, I want to be more of an activist. In the past I feel as though I have been more passive, but I have learned in order to see changes, I need to “be the change”. Not only do I want to keep volunteering as an active participant in my community, but I want to be a voice that pushes for the real change that we need.

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Executive Action Assessment of Issue

Part 1:

President Trump wants to continue the efforts of a “war on poverty”. He sees that there have been no changes in poverty for working-age Americans. In order to address this, he believes in reforms that empower people to get back to work, thus making the safety net stronger. Additionally, he believes that preserving programs for those who are truly in need, will services more affordable.

I agree that changes must be made, however, I’m not sure if I can say that I agree specifically with what he’s saying because his stance is very vague. I believe his plan is very economical, creating good-paying job opportunities, and giving indiscriminate aid to those in need, which I do agree with, however, I have yet to see any major improvements.

Part 2:

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

“It is the mission of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) to enhance and protect the health and well-being of all Americans. We fulfill that mission by providing for effective health and human services and fostering advances in medicine, public health, and social services”. This relates to the issue of poverty and income-inequality because this department’s purpose is to help the people directly affected through services.

The secretary is Alex M. Azar II, and he has “spent his career working in both the public and private sectors, as an attorney and in senior leadership roles focused on advancing healthcare reform, research and innovation”. He went to Yale and has worked in the Department of Health and Human Services before. Although it may seem that he is a political appointment because he identifies as Republican, Azar is actually qualified to lead not only because of his previous experience, but also because he was president of Lilly USA LLC, a major pharmaceutical drug company, and was a member of the board of directors of the Biotechnology Innovation Organization, a pharmaceutical lobby. Azar’s expertise in the field that the Department is responsible is for is beneficial because it ensures that he is making knowledgeable decisions, rather than ones based on politics.

Explore the Cabinet’s Programs and Services.  Which would be suitable for responding to your issue? Briefly identify and explain them. The social services would be most suitable in responding to my issue. Some include Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), which gives temporary financial assistance in communities, or Self-Sufficiency, which are local programs from across the country that are “implementing “Principles of Economic Mobility” contained in President Trump’s Executive Order on Reducing Poverty in America by Promoting Opportunity and Economic Mobility” in efforts to get low-income and hard-to-serve families and individuals to work.

I am fairly satisfied with the executive action taken on my issue. While there has been no drastic improvement, I am aware that action is gradual but productive. The programs that have been implemented take a direct approach that addresses the issues in specific communities. While poverty rates in the country as a whole have stagnated (in contrast with the president’s boasting about the economy), the administration has actually proposed to increase funding for the Department of Health and Human Services which would benefit my civic action issue by putting more money towards services outlined in the administration’s plan (President Trump’s Executive Order on Reducing Poverty in America by Promoting Opportunity and Economic Mobility). 

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Legislative Action

Part 1:

1) Congressman Desaulnier 

a) Congressman Desaulnier has seen firsthand that not all workers are well off, and is committed to “promoting policies that advance all workers, prepare them for the jobs of the future, and support our economy”.  He in an advocate of closely studying the urgency of issues affecting today’s workforce and how we can adjust policies to help all workers. He strives to address how the inequality within our society disadvantages low-income Americans both in and out of the workplace.

b)  In addition to introducing the CEO Accountability and Responsibility Act (H.R. 3633), which “incentivizes companies to improve CEO-to-worker pay ratios”, the Congressman sponsors several bills that help working families “support their families financially and personally”. Some of these measures “incentivize access to child care, provide for more flexible and advanced schedules, and establish a minimum amount of family and sick leave”.

2) Senator Harris

a) Senator Harris believes that in order to address income inequality, the “defining economic challenge of our time” we must repair the ladder of opportunity that is broken for too many working families.

b) Senator Harris has sponsored many bills in relation to poverty and income inequality, however her most recent was SB.3712, which is a bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to establish a refundable tax credit to increase the take-home pay of American workers and enhance their financial stability, and for other purposes.

3) Senator Feinstein

a) Senator Feinstein believes that “too many workers are struggling to find good-paying jobs and too many families are having trouble making ends meet”. She supports investments to help create more jobs and comprehensive tax reform to incentivize growth and reduce this deficit. She believes that in order to address this issue, congress must create more jobs with livable wages. In addition, “she supports making critical investments to help create jobs and prepare workers for the 21st century economy, including offering incentives to businesses to hire new workers, providing funding for job-training programs, investing in infrastructure and making higher education more affordable”.

b) Some of her most recent legislation related to poverty and income inequality is S.611 which “amends the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act to modify definitions relating to homeless individuals and homeless children or youth as used by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to verify eligibility for HUD homeless assistance programs to align them with the definitions of "homeless" used to verify eligibility for other federal assistance programs. (The amended definitions would increase access to federal homeless programs by homeless children, youth, and families.)”.    

Part 2:

a) There are two bills pertaining to income equality.

b) HB 6760

c) The Protecting Family and Small Business Tax Cuts Act would make permanent the tax cuts that were enacted by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. Reduced personal income tax rates would be made permanent,it would double standard deduction & child tax credit, and preserve other personal deductions and credits. It would also make permanent the 20 percent deduction for pass-thru businesses that are set to expire at the end of 2025 under current law.      

d) The bill will most likely impact American taxpayers, particularly those with families; small businesses; and the federal government.

e) I would vote no because despite perhaps promoting economic growth, it is an excuse to make tax cuts for the wealthy- who do not need it. There are other viable solutions.

f) HB 6760 originated in the House, and it was reviewed by the Committee of Education and the Workforce. It is very new so it is still in process of being introduced.

g) I am not very satisfied with the current Federal legislation on my issue, I feel like more can be done if we seek alternative and more direct solutions to income inequality.

Part 3: “As Hiring Slows, Employers Say It's Getting Harder To Find Workers” 

S.A.C.A.P.S.

1) The subject is the unemployment rate in America

2) The author is Patricia Cohen

3) The context is the fluctuating unemployment rates and hiring rates, as expressed by government reports.

4) The audience is anyone who is interested in the current state of employment/wages in America. Fairly moderate, although most likely to be the (slightly more liberal) readers of the NY Times.

5) There is little bias nor perspective of the author. Cohen is objective because she simply states the facts and analyzes them, without inputting any personal opinion regarding matters.

6) The significance of the article is simply an overview of the current economic state of America (December 2018) as opposed to the past. It talks about stability in unemployment and wage, with a decrease in hiring rates due to the influx of new jobs.

7) Because the article has no clear opinion- it is simply an exploration/overview of facts- there is no agreeing or disagreeing with its significance.

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State Action

1) Catharine Baker

a) She wants to make California a pro-job, pro-employment state. She strives to modernize outdated regulations that suppress job creation, make smarter infrastructure investments that support economic prosperity, and promote innovative job opportunities for working families.

b) I agree with Baker because income inequality is a pressing issue that is further worsening the poverty rate in California. One way to deal with this is addressing unemployment and job opportunities in our communities.

c) Specifically she has:

Supported changes to the GI bill to allow veterans to use the benefits as startup capital to establish a business.

Supported legislation to improve access to career technical education (CTE) to ensure pathways to great careers and a workforce able to meet the needs of the future.

Authored legislation to allow employers and employees to agree to more flexible work arrangements (AB 1038).

2) Steve Glazer

a) Senator Glazer has taken strong actions to support the needs of the vulnerable, voting to raise the minimum wage, and to ensure financial support to infants born while their families are receiving CalWORKs grants. He also focuses on fiscal responsibility, stating that “Californians cannot afford a government that won't balance its books and live within its means. And Sacramento cannot continue to look to taxpayers to bail it out from bad decision-making”. He believes that fiscal security requires greater focus on creating jobs and growing the economy.

b) I agree with Glazer. I think that fixing a broken economy begins with focusing on jobs and giving aid to the vulnerable. In order to achieve all around fiscal security, more localized steps need to be taken.

c) Some legislation he has sponsored relating to this issue is:

SB 1182 (Renters Tax Credit Increase) – Provides financial relief to low and middle income families by increasing the renter’s tax credit to $120 for single filers who have an adjusted gross income (AGI) of $40,078 or less and $240 for joint filers with an AGI of $80,056 or less.

3) Current California Bills

a) AB 1520

b) The bill was introduced October 2, 2017

c) The bill moves to instill comprehensive strategies aimed at addressing deep child poverty and reducing child poverty in California by means of a task force (Lifting Children and Families Out of Poverty Act). The last time it was amended was on September 9, 2017. The last major action was on October 2, 2017, when it was approved by the governor and chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 415, Statutes of 2017.

d) I think that the bill is a good step in assessing the conditions of poverty in California, so that future measures can be bettered. It allows the government to step back and find solutions (through reports) in a way that would do much mor good than harm (not a lot of money). I think that a task force is a logical step, and I would encourage representatives to support for this reason. Additionally it goes to a good cause.

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The 3 P’s Assessment: Parties, Political Interest Groups, and PACs

 1) Republican Party:

a) In order to address the worsening economic state of America and rising poverty rates, Republicans urge tax reform, proposing “fair and simple taxes for growth” rather than the complexities of the current “top-down” system. They claim that a good tax system will drive the American economy back to prosperity. They wish to lower taxes and eliminate policies that promote class warfare.

b) To an extent, I agree with the Republican party. I agree that changes need to be made in order to revive a dying economy and rising poverty rates, however, I’m not sure I agree with the fairness aspect of their objective. While less taxation as a whole may stimulate the economy, “economic inclusion” may put stress on lower classes, whereas the current policy imposes higher taxes on those who can afford it, and the money goes back in to benefit the community as a whole. Simply lowering taxes and dispersing it doesn’t address the true issues of poverty and income inequality in America. I believe that their policies are more concerned with the economy as a whole versus the immediate issues at hand.

2) Democratic Party:

a) Democrats recognize America’s broken economic system, especially in regards to poverty and income inequality. It has become increasingly difficult fot the middle class to simply survive, while the top one percent are consistently recieving new income and wealth. The Democrats believe that supporting workers through higher wages, workplace protections, policies to balance work and family, and other investments will help rebuild the system.

b) I agree with the Democrats because their support of the workers benefits the economy in the long run as well as improves the lives of millions of struggling Americans. Raising wages allows money to be put back into the economy through spending, as well as raises the standard of living for the average citizen. Furthermore, protecting all demographics of Americans will ensure the revival of the middle-class characteristic to American life.

3) Libertarian Party:

a) Libertarians emphasize a free market, where the government’s only role in the economic realm is to protect property rights, adjudicate disputes, and provide a legal framework. They states that “all efforts by government to redistribute wealth, or to control or manage trade, are improper in a free society”. Due to this philosophy, Libertarians call for the repeal of income taxes, as well as the abolishment of the Internal Revenue Service and all federal programs/services not required by the Constitution.

b) I mainly disagree with the Libertarians. While I agree that a free market is good, and citizens should reap the benefits of their work, I do not think that income taxes should be repealed. Income taxes allow the government to provide for the community, benefitting everyone, and repealing this would present a new host of problems rather than address the issue of poverty and income inequality in the United States.

4) Green Party:

a) The Green Party thoroughly addresses the inherent problems of communities stressed by poverty, violence and despair which should be the economic priority of America. They recognize that “our ability to meet the challenges of the post industrial age are critically impaired”, and in order to fix these pressing issues for future generations, it is necessary that there is a radical increase in support for those in need through welfare and a fair and progressive tax system (income tax) to ensure that incomes remain above the poverty level.

b) I agree with the view of the Green Party. I agree that a direct approach to addressing these pressing issues will be effective in the long run, and that by focusing on the welfare of struggling individuals in society, the economy will witness benefits in the long run.

5) Peace and Freedom Party: 

a) The Peace and Freedom Party is committed to socialism, democracy, ecology, feminism, racial equality, and internationalism; representing the working class. In order to address the inherent problems of poverty and income inequality plaguing America (and the middle class especially). the Peace and Freedom Party wants to raise wages, ensure dignified incomes for all, provide full benefits/welfare, defend workers rights, support unions, promote public programs.

b) I agree with the position of the Peace and Freedom Party in most. I believe that their proposed changes are doable, and could benefit working class Americans without causing harm. I think that their solutions address poverty and income inequality adequately.

In terms of which party I identify most closely with, I am between the Democratic Party and the Green Party, which was slightly surprising. I agree with the majority of the positions proposed by the Democrats, however, I believe that more can be done in terms of income tax, as proposed by the Green Party. Initially, I thought I would identify most with the Democratic Party, however, upon reading the platform of the Green Party, my opinions coincided with their positions as well. Overall, the Green Party proposes more change and I would vote for either party’s candidate.

2) National Interest Group: 

a) American Family Voices

b) American Family Voices was founded in 2000 to be a strong voice for middle and low-income families on economic, health care and consumer issues

c)

AFV was founded with the mission to take on necessary projects that more traditional DC groups weren’t taking on. AFV was to be a center of innovation in political strategy equipped with the ability to make rapid change without the presence of bureaucracy.

AFV serves as an umbrella group that “helps foster a broad network of organizations – including civil rights, environmental, women’s rights, consumer advocacy, and healthcare organizations, and multi-issue think tanks – and build their infrastructure, both in the field and in communications”

Progressive action by being “lean and mean” to avoid the bureaucracy and institutional defensiveness that keep organizations from innovating and risk-taking

Drives change in 3 ways: Utilizing an inside/outside strategy (ties to elected officials [Clinton, Pelosi] as well as activists/groups),  creating innovative and provoking content that drives conversations, and launching strategic initiatives that build the progressive movement (summits, etc.).

Seek to fill gaps in the progressive movement by conducting research and connecting to the public, driving new media stories. AFV feeds findings and research to reporters and bloggers, delivers daily internet feeds to activists/progressive groups/general public, and introduces ads to get more attention to the story. In addition, they have a phone calling program to educate voters on important issues and to help fuel grassroots organizing and lobbying at all levels of government.

d) American Family Voices endorses the Climate Action Now Act of 2018, where the deteriorating condition of our Earth’s climate is addressed, and changes such as electrification are proposed in order to introduce change.

e) American Family Voices is stationed in Washington, DC, and there are no local meetings to attend.

f) There are no volunteer opportunities. On the website, you can either donate or buy merchandise to support the cause.

g) It’s interesting that the AFV is available on all social media platforms, indicating that they are truly committed to their goal of being innovative.

3) State Interest Group:

a) Spirit of Democracy

b) This political action committee works to elect candidates who are committed to building an efficient and functioning government that solves problems, treating tax money with respect-- candidates who will help renew “California’s greatness”.

c) Spirit of Democracy is committed to electing and supporting candidates who will bring California back to its “greatness” through treating tax money with respect (making sure it goes to rightful causes). In order to achieve this goal, Spirit of Democracy, and primarily Chairman Charles T. Munger Junior, selects candidates and approves independent expenditures done on their behalf, including television, radio, and direct mail. This is done with complete transparency, where Spirit of Democracy makes no direct contact with candidates, and all information regarding campaign efforts is listed on their website.

d) In addition to supporting current candidates such as Catherine Baker (per their website), Spirit of Democracy has sponsored many propositions, including Proposition 20, in November 2010, which extended Prop 11's redistricting reforms to include California's 53 Congressional districts.

e) Spirit of Democracy is located in Sacramento, California, and there are not any meetings I could attend.

f) There are no volunteer opportunities except donations.

g) It’s interesting that the committee puts such emphasis on transparency in their support of candidates so as to prove their trustworthiness.

4) Compare: Which one seems more organized? More successful?  Who is their target audience? Supporters?

American Family Voices seems more organized than Spirit of Democracy due to their more modern format (plus social media), versus the outdated website of the latter organization. In addition, it seems that American Family Voices is more successful and able to accomplish much more due to their wider support base which includes all Americans who support the same cause. For Spirit of Democracy, their target audience is also the same, however, their target issue is much more refined in comparison to the wide platform of AFV. Furthermore, American Family Voices has a large number of contributors/supporters, while Spirit of Democracy’s primary contributor is the Chairman (with occasional donations).

5) PACs

a) American Federation of State/County/Municipal Employees

b) AFSCME is a union diverse people who are committed to public service by advocating for the vital services that keep families safe and communities strong. They also advocate for prosperity and opportunity for all of America’s working families. Their mission is to not only stand for fairness at the bargaining table, but to fight for fairness in our communities and in the halls of government.

c) They have raised a total of $17, 511, 983; spent a total of $14, 944, 034; and they currently have $1, 411, 507 on hand.

d) They spend $1, 788, 900 on Democrats, and $6,000 on Republicans

e) The listed donors are mostly/all members of the AFSCME who support their liberal cause, therefore because the donations are from the left, the PAC primarily spends its money on supporting Democratic causes, such as the Democratic Parties of various states as well as other ‘blue’ organizations.

[awu19ahs-blog]

Constitutional Issues

1) The name of the case was Dandridge v. Williams.

2) The case was argued on December 9, 1969, and decided on April 6, 1970.

3) The Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) program, established by the Social Security Act of 1935 and funded by the state and federal governments, provides financial aid to low-income families by computing a "standard of need" for each family. 

In Maryland, the standard of need increased with each additional member of the family; however, it had an upper limit of $250 per month, which is problematic for large families with low-incomes. 

 Linda Williams, a single mother, and Junius and Jeanette Gary, husband and wife, both supported families of eight children. They claimed that Maryland's means of calculating standard of need discriminated against larger families, in violation of the Equal Protection Clause. Furthermore, they argued that this method of calculation contradicted the stated purpose of the AFDC, as laid out by the Social Security Act. They filed suit against Edmund P. Dandridge, Chairman of the Maryland State Board of Public Welfare, and several other state officials.

4) The judges were deciding whether the Maryland mechanism for computing standard of need was a violation of the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment or the Social Security Act of 1935.

5) The Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment was being called into question.

6) In a 5-3 opinion, the Court concluded that the Maryland provision violated neither the Social Security Act nor the Equal Protection Clause. Relying on the precedent set in King v. Smith (1968), the program was "a scheme of cooperative federalism", meaning it was the state’s power to calculate standard of need the way it sees fit. In addition, nothing in the federal statute forbids a state from doing so. Furthermore, the Court rejected the families' equal protection claim, claiming, "[T]he Equal Protection Clause does not require that a State must choose between attacking every aspect of a problem or not attacking the problem at all." Therefore, Maryland’s provisions were valid and constitutional.

7) This case sets a precedent for states to be able to determine financial aid amongst low-income families of varying sizes. Just as King v. Smith (1968) set a precedent used in this case, Dandridge v. Williams (1970) is also a “scheme of cooperative federalism” and a clarification of state power.

8) Personally, I disagree with the decision because as the 14th amendment states, “nor shall any state deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws”. I think that by limiting the amount of money given to larger families, it is a deprivation of life, especially for families below the poverty line. It is unjust that larger families were treated unequally and not offered the same protection (by means of financial aid) that other low-income families were provided. 

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https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/11/business/trump-tax-cuts-white-americans.html

S. A. C. A. P. S. 

S) The subject of the article, White Americans Gain the Most From Trump’s Tax Cuts, a Report Finds, is about the effects that President Trump’s tax cuts of 2017 have had on people of different demographics, reflecting the long-standing patterns of economic inequality.

A) The author is Jim Tankersley, a writer for The New York Times who covers economic and tax policy.

C) The article was on published October 11, 2018, which reflects a very recent snapshot of the condition of income inquality in the United States under President Trump. Since a year has passed since Trump has signed the tax cuts, the effects are now prevalent.

A) The intended audience of the work is likely readers of the New York Times, who are assumed to be objective, though skewed slightly left. It is a business article, therefore it’s not technically intended for the general public as breaking news. It is for informative purposes.

P) The article doesn’t present any form of bias. It is very objective, simply stating the facts and not really making a claim. The article is an analysis of statistics and reports versus an opinion piece.

S) The significance of the article is that the tax cuts have mainly benefitted white Americans, while minorites are at a considerable financial disadvantage, even for all minorites were at the top 1 percent with white Americans. It seems that policies and tax cuts have not been particularily “color-blind”, as the article states.

Because this article is objective and doesn’t necesarily argue a point, there’n no agreeing or disagreeing with it, however I think that there needs to be improved initative in levelling income inequality, especially after observing the profound differences that tax cuts have had on different demographics. I agree with the quote in the article that ‘“Congress missed a tremendous opportunity” with the tax law, the report’s authors write, “to help low- and moderate-income families — particularly those of color — build the wealth needed to secure their share of the American dream”’. I think that much more can be done in alleviate this pressing issue in America.

[awu19ahs-blog]

Media Assessment of Issue

Assessment of Poverty and Income Inequality in the Media

1) NPR- impartial source (https://www.npr.org/2018/05/14/610836891/the-poor-peoples-campaign-seeks-to-complete-martin-luther-king-s-final-dream)

In NPR’s article, “The Poor People’s Campaign Seeks to Complete Martin Luther King’s Final Dream”, thousands of people of a variety of demographics are expected to resurrect Martin Luther King’s unfinished Poor People’s Campaign of 1968, which originally sought to take the civil rights fight and expand it to fight the “indignities of poverty suffered across racial lines”. Today, the purpose is the same, and the article centers around the new organizers of the campaign’s intentions and plans for the movement. The article was first heard on “All Things Considered”, and was written by Brakkton Booker on May 14th, 2018. The fairly recent publication date may serve as a sign of the times in the awareness of American people, as income inequality and poverty continue as issues plaguing the United States. Therefore, because of the informational and objective viewpoint on the issue, the audience of this article could very well just be the general public, regardless of political associations, though it also could be argued that it veers left, simply because of the subject matter. Regardless, the author does a nice job of keeping bias to a minimum and remaining factual. Overall, the article is an overview of the relaunched Poor People’s Campaign, which plans to tackle the huge issue of poverty in America through spreading awareness and taking action on century-old problems relating to income inequality. Because the author does not express his opinion in the article, I cannot necessarily agree or disagree with his perspective, however, in terms of the subject matter, I agree with the aims of the campaign, though I do believe that their goals are fairly ambitious.

2) Vox- liberal bias source (https://www.vox.com/2018/7/29/17627134/income-inequality-chart)

In Vox’s article, “One Chart That Shows How Much Worse Income Inequality is in America than Europe”, a staggering comparison of income inequality is presented between Western Europe and the United States. Over time, income inequality has worsened significantly in the United States, which cannot be said of Western Europe. The article then analyzes the charts, giving an explanation of the chart’s negative trends. The article was written by Emily Stewart on July 29th, 2018, which because of its recent date, is evident of the direness of this worsening issue. While Vox is considered a liberal source, this article, in particular, remains fairly objective; mainly giving an overview of the report by economists rather than an opinion on the issue itself. Therefore, the audience is neither clearly left nor right. Even so, it may be argued that the evidence supporting the report (less favorable to low and middle-income groups) as well as the speculation that tax cuts are a direct cause, make the article slightly more for a liberal audience. While the author does remain objective for the most part, she does assert her opinion that tax cuts play a fairly significant role in the negative trends in income inequality, which I agree with to a certain degree, however, I do think that there are other, much more significant factors. Overall, the significance of this article was that the United States has witnessed a sharp downward trend in income inequality, unparalleled by any other westernized country, which is due to a number of factors including, but not limited to, tax cuts, educational inequalities, etc.

3) The Economist- conservative bias source (https://www.economist.com/democracy-in-america/2017/12/18/why-is-america-more-tolerant-of-inequality-than-many-rich-countries)

The Economist’s article, “Why is America More Tolerant of Inequality Than Many Rich Countries? Ignorance About the Scale of the Problem is Part of the Answer”, explores America’s misconceptions about income inequality, mainly that it’s a smaller issue than it truly is. The article was written by C.K. on December 18th, 2017, which because of its *fairly recent date, is illustrative of the current that the country is in, and Americans’ misperceptions of its seriousness. While The Economist is traditionally considered more on the conservative side, this article remains objective, offering both points of view, therefore the audience could really just be the general public. The author provides informative statistics and studies, and provides both interpretations of that information, without veering clearly towards one side or another. This article is fairly unbiased. Overall the article meant to convey that Americans are more tolerable of income inequality for two reasons: One, that they underestimate how bad it truly is, and two, that they do not trust the government to deal with it in a favorable way towards them. Although the author did not necessarily have an opinion, I agree with the subject of the article- that income inequality is a more serious issue but is being swept away for a number of reasons.

4) In all three articles, the focus was on income inequality and American’s attention to it, or more often their lack thereof. The two more complex sources, The Economist and Vox, were more sophisticated and informative than NPR, which was expected, however, all three articles were fairly objective. Neither the liberal source nor the conservative source was radical in any way, and bias was kept to a minimum. All three articles were consistent with the claims of one another, in that income inequality is a serious issue being largely ignored, even as it is continuing to worsen. Where the articles diverge, however, is the writing style, where the party associations become slightly more evident. While NPR was simply an objective news story about a liberal group, the mention of tax cuts in both Vox’s and The Economist’s articles illustrated their differences. While Vox, a liberal source, put emphasis on tax cuts as a cause of the negative trend in income inequality, The Economist, the conservative source, didn’t refute that fact but instead placed emphasis on other causes and subjects. Even so, all three had a nice account of Poverty and Income Inequality in America.

5) For me, I identified more with the claims of The Economist because it gave information, but analyzed it from the opposing points of view. This reduces the bias and opinion of the author and allows the reader to evaluate, which is important in media literacy. It was also consistent with my opinions, in that I believe issues of income inequality and poverty are serious, yet severely underestimated, however, gave me the point of view of the other side which I also appreciated and resonated with.

[awu19ahs-blog]

Conceptualizing the Issue and Assessing Types of Action

I chose “Increase in Poverty and Income Inequality” as my civil action issue because this specific issue is increasingly prevalent in society, especially within the United States. Apparent in neighborhoods and cities alike, across the U.S., signs of these issues become difficult to ignore. 

Both poverty and income inequality are interrelated issues, each one fueling the other in a hard-to-break-out-of cycle. Especially with today’s growing wealth gap, low wage work/income inequality forces individuals into the poverty system, submitting them to a life of food stamps; a life of daily struggle to make ends meet- a life many fail to escape, even with ‘adequate’ resources or ‘opportunities’ for success. Furthermore, it is unclear what our government is doing to improve these conditions/break this cycle, especially from a civilian point of view, where change seems distant. 

I believe that more immediate, hands-on action should be taken, as well as the application of some policies as catalysts for change. I also think that other citizens should do their part to help their less fortunate communities, whether that be through policies or direct involvement.

On Twitter, I currently follow a number of people pertaining to my civil action issue:

The first is President Trump (@realDonaldTrump), who I decided to follow because his opinion is very influential, and anything he says regarding virtually anything has a significant impact. What’s interesting to me about his Twitter content is that though his rants do relate to Americans on a large scale, he often neglects to talk about issues more close to home (such as poverty and income), even though they could be considered just as important. 

The second is the Bureau of Labor Statistics (@BLS_gov), who I chose to follow because their statistics on the state of poverty/employment/income in America provide evidence and facts, allowing for informed decisions and opinions on the issues of poverty and income. I found their tweets interesting because it gave unbiased/not misleading evidence to the public.

The third is the United States Labor Department (@USDOL), who I followed because it gave the official opinions on much of the aspects related to my civil action issue. In addition, it outlines what the government is actually doing in response to poverty and income inequality issues. 

The fourth is End Child Poverty California (@EndChildPovCA), who I followed because it serves as an example of the solutions/plans for action in response to poverty. In addition, I followed them because it directly correlates to me because it focuses on California efforts. Overall I agree with their perspective and appreciate their efforts.

Lastly, the fifth is Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton), who I followed in order to get a different perspective in regards to issues (specifically poverty and income inequality). Due to the fact that she ran against President Trump, I wanted to be able to see a diversity of opinions, specifically from “outside” Trump’s influence. I found that her tweets were agreeable and she often made valid points (often in contrast to President Trump’s). I also followed a number of other politicians in order to further diversify the opinions on my civil action issue.