The Monarch

Making Every Vote Count

Could a completely different system of voting be the key to a better democracy?

Anika Chatradhi and Alice Kang • October 18, 2022

“Every vote counts” is a phrase we hear election after election—so why is the voter turnout rate in the U.S. repeatedly disappointing? Every election, many citizens fail to cast their ballots, a leading cause being distrust of the polling system. Currently, America follows the election system implemented by the 234-year-old Constitution: plurality voting.

Capital Punishment in California: Policy or Perspective?

As Gavin Newsom’s executive order—a sort of final safeguard against capital punishment—faces possible opposition in next month’s election, the lives of hundreds of death row inmates across California hang in the balance like never before.

Ryan Rulkens, Staff Writer • October 18, 2022

As Gavin Newsom’s executive order—a sort of final safeguard against capital punishment—faces possible opposition in next month’s election, the lives of hundreds of death row inmates across California hang in the balance like never before.

The Secrets Revealed at Mar-a-Lago—And What They Mean for America

The classified documents found at Mar-A-Lago launched Trump into the legal spotlight, but what effect will this transgression have on American citizens?

Navya Tyagali and Ruby (Eunseo) Lee • October 18, 2022

In recent weeks, President Donald Trump’s “Southern White House” has taken center stage in a scandal that resulted in the discovery of more than three hundred classified documents.

Conscious Billionaire (?)

A new breed of the uber-rich leaving behind a legacy of environmental justice.

Rahul Ramarao, Staff Writer • October 18, 2022

On September 21, 2022, Yvon Chouinard forfeited his company, Patagonia, so that the profits gained could be used in order to battle climate change. Was that his sole intention?

Healthcare in America Grows Increasingly Unstable

A court in Texas recently stopped many queer people from obtaining life-saving drugs in the name of freedom of religion, threatening healthcare across the country.

Aarav Bavishi, Staff Writer • October 18, 2022

Judge O’Connor’s ruling could be used to block access to sexual and reproductive healthcare and other medical services for people who rely on employer-based healthcare plans mandated by the ACA. These services include screenings for various types of cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and many more.

California’s Push Against Climate Change

California’s EV mandate to take action against harmful greenhouse gases. How will this affect our environment?

Anika Bhutani and Katherine Wilcox • October 18, 2022

Governor Newsom ordered the California Air Resources Board to develop regulations to cease the sale of new gasoline cars, while increasing the sales of electric (EV) and other zero-emission cars by 2035.

When Disability Equates to Disposability

Disabled people in the US have been forced to fend for themselves amidst an ineffective public health response that has continually disregarded their physical and mental well-being.

Adela Simka, Staff Editor • February 22, 2022

COVID-19 places disabled people in a disproportionately dangerous situation due to heightened risk of serious illness or death, a lack of vital supplies and medicine, and vast inequities in access to health care. The American public health response has done little to dissuade their fears.

The Myth of a Rise in Crime

Sensationalized stories of crime are swaying the American public’s opinion of policing.

Roslyn Simka, Staff Writer • February 21, 2022

You’ve probably seen the headlines. “Bay Area crime wave! Shoplifting at Walgreens!” “Theft at CVS!”—the list goes on and on. But not only are these headlines built off of manufactured narratives, they’re also weaponized by a lack of context.

Pushing Legislation, Not Just Celebration

Recent statements from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s children have sparked discussions on racial disenfranchisement in the United States.

Terena Nguyen and Arushi Goyal • February 20, 2022

Voter restrictions have historically had a significant impact on Black and Brown communities, and these discriminatory laws continue to plague our democracy today. The John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act is proposed legislation that would restore sections of the historic Voting Rights Bill, prohibiting blatant discrimination in politics.

Divide by 435

As reapportionment and redistricting again roll around, recent Supreme Court rulings and population shifts complicate the process.

Nicholas Corral, Staff Writer • February 20, 2022

Drawing the boundary lines for congressional districts doesn’t happen in a vacuum, and legislators are powerfully motivated to manipulate these lines. By a practice called gerrymandering, these legislators are able to game the system so that their opponents' power is minimized, in turn maximizing their own.

Two Cents into Crypto Mining

Bitcoin: How could something so intangible have such a large environmental impact?

Anika Chatradhi and Alice Kang • February 20, 2022

The growing trend of cryptocurrency mining could push global warming past its mark, but there may be ways to remediate this impact.

Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” Bill

Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay Bill” is a threat to LGBTQ+ youth across the state.

Anjali Sudan, Staff Writer • February 20, 2022

A recently passed Florida Senate bill will prevent classroom discussions about the LGBTQ+ community in public schools—undoing the progress made by the LGBTQ+ community to achieve equality and reducing their already limited representation.