Tag Archives: constitution

We Need More Education

The right to a civics lesson

Last year, Rhode Island students and parents filed a class action lawsuit against the Governor and other government employees.  The claimants are fighting for an enhanced education in civics that prepares them to employ their constitutional rights to vote and serve on a jury.  According to their argument, the United States should provide more of an equal opportunity for all students to engage in lessons that help them participate within the democratic nation.  Continue reading →

The Supreme Court Will Finally Vote On Same Sex Marriages

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Man & Man, Woman & Woman, Woman & Man, What’s the difference?

The United States Supreme Court will soon vote on two cases for same sex marriage.  The two cases include, California’s Proposition 8 and a federal case that limits the constitutional rights for gay and lesbians.  Right now the federal courts excludes governmental benefits for civil unions.  By listening to the cases together the courts can now rule for both and decide if same sex marriage should be a constitutional right or should be left up to the states to decide.

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Is It Legal To Film Police?

A crime?

I’m sure everyone can remember a YouTube video of police brutality or an invasive TSA pat-down that made them cringe. Imagine all of the encounters that never make it to the internet.  Those moments are only made public because of someone exercises their First Amendment right.

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Business v. Class Action

How much are you signing away to get that sweet, sweet 1994 Toyota Tercel?

An article in the New York Times caught my attention today.  It’s about the fallout from the 2011 Supreme Court decision in AT&T v. Concepcion, which stated that corporations can write clauses into contracts to prevent class action lawsuits.  To do this, the clauses require customers to settle disputes through arbitration (instead of in an actual court of law) and to relinquish their right to litigate as a class.  In effect, the contracts waive the customers’ right to due process.  Since that decision, the legal world has changed.  For the better or for worse?

Keep reading the full post to see what’s up with these clauses and to learn a tip on how to get around them.

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