Does America Have a Ruling Class?

Meet with Bay Area Solarpunks for an online open discussion on Does America Have a Ruling Class?
Solarpunk is an optimistic and visionary movement to create a civilization in harmony with nature, based on democratically run egalitarian communities. It is rebellious and opposed to all exploitation and oppression.
Questions:
Is American society a rigid class hierarchy?
Are major institutions responsive to the people: The Federal government; financial institutions and corporations; Non-Governmental Organizations, think tanks?
Why have both political parties implemented policies of endless war abroad and austerity at home?
Are media and social media truth-tellers or propagandists?
Does the Constitution guarantee democracy?
Rreadings/videos. Feel free to observe and listen, but to participate, read/watch the following:
Is the U.S. becoming an oligarchy?
https://www.oxfamamerica.org/explore/issues/economic-justice/is-the-us-witnessing-the-rise-of-oligarchy/ 5 min.

Capitalism is working as it's supposed to, and it's not working for most people - Richard Wolff https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xC1OTU0_ClE 4 min.
Chris Hedges: The American Ruling Class Explained https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x2FtPuhTDyM 2 min.
The End Of Capitalism Is Here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iobyc6tvn5E 20 min.

How the media manufactured consent for genocide: Assal Rad interview | The Listening Post https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vWCcF_Vaqmw 11 min.
Christopher Rufo https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christopher_Rufo 8 min.

NGOs: Can we trust them? Not on your life! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l8ddTAASgBg&t=920s 18 min.