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These United States |
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 The
United States offers many freedoms to those people who inhabit it's
shores. Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness is not merely a
misnomer but a reality, despite backlash from other global
communities who prefer to claim otherwise. The country has serious
issues that need addressing just as in every other nation across the
world, but most Americans will agree the United States is still a
vast land of opportunity where the freedom to choose has become a
way of life rather than a tentative privilege.
When America was created, the founding fathers set forth a
constitution that would protect it's citizens and guarantee them
rights and freedoms that are still enjoyed today.
Congress shall make no law respecting an
establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise
thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or
the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition
the Government for a redress of grievances.
[Article Three, Amendment 1, Bill of
Rights].
These
liberties also include each citizen's right to vote for government
representatives and to elect the President of the United States:
The right of citizens of the United States
to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or
by any state on account of race, color, or previous condition of
servitude. [Section 1, Amendment XV, 1870].
Americans take particular interest in primary elections, most
notably the "race for the White House" every four years. Partisan
politics can become ugly, the mutual smear campaigns having little
to do with the important issues at hand. Democrats and Republicans
are unyielding in their beliefs for the most part, each party
equally convinced of their viability to run the United States and to
"speak for the people." Although claiming such, the two major
political parties actually represent two vastly different aspects of
the population. Democrats are well-known to champion the poor and
middle class, while Republicans cater to the wealthier echelons of
the country.
Because people have opposing views across the width and breath of
the United States, as well as in other parts of the world, the
creation of different political parties was perhaps inevitable. Many
of the founding fathers of America felt "special interest" groups
were nothing more than parties trying to gain control of the
government to benefit their own specific agendas. During his
farewell address, George Washington warned of the folly of political
parties; yet he also acknowledged different political parties in the
United States would be the result of human nature, as political
opinions would inevitably stir the passions of it's citizens.
Some
historians claim the origins of political parties began with a
disagreement between Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton.
Jefferson felt the power of the government should be limited to what
was clearly specified in the Constitution, while Hamilton insisted
additional powers "could be inferred" from what was already
contained in the Constitution.
Opposing views on issues is the backbone of the political party
system in United States. Although it might appear inane and
pointless to those living elsewhere, the freedom to openly express
political preferences and all other opinions remains the right of
the American people.
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Democrats |
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 Originally
formed as a congressional caucus to defend the the Bill of Rights
and to create opposition to Federalists, Thomas Jefferson founded
the Democratic Party in 1792. Six years later, the organization was
officially dubbed the "Democratic-Republican Party" whose purpose
was to be the political rallying point for "the common man." The
group's name was later amended to the Democratic Party.
Thomas
Jefferson was elected as the first Democratic President in 1800;
many
more Democratic presidents would follow Jefferson to the White
House, as listed below. The list does not include the three
Whig-party presidents
William Henry Harrison (1841, died in office);
Zachary Taylor (1849-1850, died in office); and
Millard Fillmore
(succeeded Taylor, 1850-1853).
The
Democratic National Committee was established in 1848. THE DNC is
now the oldest political organization in the world, and is
responsible for promoting the Democratic cause between national
conventions.
Near
the end of the 19th-century, Democrats encouraged the influx of
immigrants into the United States, who were introduced into the
country's mainstream to create a strong economic base. In 1933,
Franklin Roosevelt brought America out of the depression with his
belief that the government could assist the people in times of need.
During his presidency, Roosevelt also created the Social Security
system.
Harry
Truman integrated the military, paving the way for future civil
rights leaders. John F. Kennedy created the Peace Corps, and his
successor Lyndon Johnson would initiate Medicare. In 1993, Bill
Clinton led the push for the Deficit Reduction Act of 1993,
which made for a $200 billion-surplus budget by the time he left the
White House.
In
2009, Barack Obama became the 44th President of the United States
and the first African-American to hold the office.
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Republicans |
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The
Republican Party began brewing in 1854, perpetuated by anti-slavery
activists and those who felt the government should allow western
land to settlers free of charge. However, it wasn't until 1856 that
the party was officially tagged "Republican" when John C. Fremont
was nominated for President under the slogan "Free soil, free labor,
free speech, free men, Fremont." At the time, Republicans were
considered a "third party" as the Democrats and Whigs represented
the two-party system in the United States.
Abraham Lincoln was the first Republican President to be elected to
office. Not including the two Federalist-party presidents
George
Washington (1789-1797) and
John Adams (1797-1801), all Republican
presidents were and are as follows:
Republicans have also been referred to as the G.O.P,. the definition
of which has changed over the years and with the times. In 1884, the
New York Herald cited the G.O.P. as the "Grand Old Party." A
congressional record dating from 1875 referred to the party as
"gallant old party." In the maiden days of the automobile, sometimes
the abbreviation was called "get out and push." In the early 1960's,
it was "Go-Party," and during the term of President Nixon
"generation of peace" was often thrown around. Then throughout the
1970's and forward, "grand old party" came into play once again.
The first woman elected to Congress in 1917 was a Republican,
Jeanette Rankin from Montana. Dwight Eisenhower established in the
Interstate Highway System, and created the Department of Health,
Education and Welfare. Under the Nixon administration, the Clean Air
Act was passed into law.
Republicans are credited with passing Lincoln's abolishment of
slavery during the Civil War, as well as the Fourteenth Amendment
(guaranteeing equal protection under the law) and the Fifteenth
Amendment (securing voting rights for African-Americans). Under
Republican leadership, the Cold War with Russia was won, which freed
millions from the oppression of communism.
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Other Parties |
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Aside from the strongholds of the Democrats and the Republicans, there is a wide
array of other political parties operating in the United States. Candidates from
these "third" parties have never been elected to Presidential office, but they
make themselves known just the same.
Third Parties: America
First, American Party, American Heritage Party, American Independent Party,
American Nazi Party, American Reform Party, Christian Falangist Party of
America, Communist Party USA, Constitution Party, Constitutional Action
Party, Family Values Party, Freedom Socialist Party/Radical Women,
Grassroots Party, Green Party of the United States (Green Party), The
Greens/Green Party USA (G/GPUSA), Independence Party, Independent American
Party, Labor Party, Libertarian Party, Light Party, Natural Law Party, New
Party, New Union Party, Peace & Freedom Party, Prohibition Party, Reform
Party, The Revolution, Socialist Party USA, Socialist Action, Socialist
Equality Party, Socialist Labor Party, Socialist Workers Party, Southern
Party, Southern Independence Party, U.S. Pacifist Party, We The People
Party, Workers World Party.
Other Parties: American
Falangist Party, American Patriot Party, Constitutionalist Party, Democratic
Socialists of America, Knights Party, Libertarian National Socialist Green
Party, Multicapitalist Party, Pansexual Peace Party, Pot Party, Progressive
Labor Party, Revolutionary Communist Party USA, Social Democrats USA, The
Third Party, U.S. Marijuana Party, Workers Party USA, Veterans Party of
America, World Socialist Party of the USA.
The wide selection
of political parties – some perhaps more far-fetched than others - is another
example of the freedoms enjoyed by Americans. The citizens have the right to
assemble and express their opinions, and are not pigeon-holed into being part of
the elite political system if they so choose.
For more about
third and other political parties in America, visit the
Politics.Com
web site.
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Electoral College |
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Each
American citizen aged eighteen or older has the right to vote in
local, national and primary elections. People are encouraged to
register to vote, to make their voices heard in every election.
However, despite this process the Electoral College determines the
outcome of each Presidential election.
When
forming the United States Constitution, the founding fathers were
uncertain how their President should be chosen. Initially, it was
decided that Congress should select the President; this was later
amended to choosing "electors," then back to Congress and finally,
deciding on a system that is closely similar to the workings of the
Electoral College today. Some original founders felt the people
should directly elect the President, while others feared "the
ignorance of the people."
Most
Americans are unaware of the role of the Electoral College, instead
assuming it is their collective votes that elect a President into
office. In reality, when Americans cast their vote they are actually
voting for officials who are assigned to each Presidential
candidate.
The
United States Congress determines the number of presidential
electors to which each state is allowed. Currently, the total of
state electors numbers 538. A majority of 270 is needed in order for
an election to the presidency.
Electors must select the president and vice president in every
election. Each presidential candidate has a group of assigned
electors from each state; the electors vote for the presidential
candidate who receives the largest number of votes in their state.
In simpler terms, the Electoral College confirms the results of the
popular vote.
In the
majority of cases, the candidate who receives the popular vote will
also come away with the electoral college vote. If the election is
close as it was in the year 2000 between George W. Bush and former
Vice-President Al Gore, the electoral college may select the
candidate who did not receive most of the popular vote. The
candidate who wins the job of President of the United States is also
the individual who receives the majority if the electoral college
votes, rather than the majority of votes by the American people.
In
essence, the American people do not directly elect their president
and vice president. If this was the case, then the candidate with
the most votes would win the Presidency.
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Trivia |
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 The
Democratic Donkey: The symbol of the Democratic Party is a
donkey, an icon which first made it's presence known during the
presidential campaign of Andrew Jackson in 1828. Opponents of
Jackson referred to him as a "jackass," so Jackson used the image of
a donkey on his campaign posters. During his presidency, the donkey
was also used to accentuate Jackson's stubbornness. However, it
wasn't until 1880 that the donkey was officially accepted as the
symbol of the Democratic Party. Republicans view the donkey as
"stubborn, silly and ridiculous," while Democrats feel their mascot
is "humble, smart, courageous and lovable."
George Washington was the only President unanimously elected
to office. When he was sworn into office at New York's Federal Hall
in 1789, Washington promised to "protect and defend the Constitution
of the United States," adding his own prayer at the end: "So help me
God."
Thomas Jefferson eliminated the "pomp and circumstance" of his
two predecessors (Washington and Adams), and walked from a boarding
house to his inaugural. When Jefferson had an appointment, he often
rode on horseback without a guard. On several occasions at the White
House, Jefferson worked in wrinkled clothes and slippers. While in
office, Jefferson refused to grant "favors" to the rich and
powerful.
Barnburners and Hunkers were the radical and conservative
factions of the Democratic Party in New York during the 1840's.
The names were supposed to illustrate the Barnburners
opposition to slavery, and were said to be "willing to burn down the
barn to get rid of the rats."
Tippecanoe and Tyler Too was the slogan used by the Whig
Party in 1840 when William Henry Harrison was their presidential
candidate and John Tyler his running mate.
 The
Republican Elephant: The elephant is depicted as the symbol of
the Republican party, first appearing as the creation of cartoonist
Thomas Nast in Harper's Weekly in November 1874. The idea for
the elephant came from the claim of "Caesarism" when it was thought
Ulysses S. Grant might run for a third term; articles in two
newspapers of the day respectively displayed Grant as wearing a
crown, while the other claimed that animals from the zoo had broken
a loose and were searching for prey. Cartoonist Nast took the two
stories and created an illustration showing an ass wearing a lion's
skin, frightening animals in New York's Central Park. This was
supposed to symbolize the Republican vote, not the party, but from
that point forward the elephant came to symbolize the Republican
Party. Democrats view the elephant as "bungling, stupid, pompous and
conservative" while the Republicans feel their mascot represents
"dignity, strength and intelligence."
His Fraudulency - the nickname given Rutherford B. Hayes,
who became President during the disputed election of 1876. Not to be
left out, Hayes' wife was dubbed Lemonade Lucy because
she would not allow liquor in the White House.
He Kept Us Out of the War - the slogan of Woodrow Wilson's
re-election campaign in 1916. The phrase was adopted after New
York governor Martin Glynn defended Wilson's neutrality policy
during the Democratic Convention, pointing out that Wilson had
avoided becoming involved in foreign conflicts.
Let's Get Another Deck - the Republican response to Franklin
Roosevelt's "New Deal" in 1936. When that slogan failed to detract
from Roosevelt's popularity, the Republicans bandied the phrase
Two Good Terms Deserve a Rest in 1940 with the same lack
of success.
All the Way with LBJ - the Democratic slogan to re-elect
Lyndon Johnson in his own right in 1964.
Nixon's the One - The Republican slogan for the 1968
presidential campaign. Occasionally, Democrats used the slogan on
posters depicting a pregnant black woman.
Presidential Quotes:
"I
hold it that a little rebellion, now and then, is a good thing, and
as necessary in the political world as storms are in the
physical...It is a medicine necessary for the sound health of
government." - Thomas Jefferson in a letter to James Madison,
1787, following Shay's Rebellion.
"My
movements to the chair of Government will be accompanied by feelings
not unlike those of a culprit going to the place of his execution."
- George Washington, 1789.
"The principle of society with us is the equal rights of
all...Nobody shall be above you, nor you above anybody -
pell-mell is our law." - Thomas Jefferson, 1801.
"I
happen temporarily to occupy this big White House. I am living
witness that any one of your children may look to come here as my
father's child has." - Abraham Lincoln, 1864.
"First of all, let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we
have to fear is fear itself - nameless, unreasoning, unjustified
terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into
advance." - Franklin Roosevelt, first inaugural address, 1933.
"I
never gave them hell, I just tell the truth and they think it's
hell." - Harry S. Truman, 1956.
"Nixon is a filthy, lying son-of-a-bitch, and a very dangerous man."
- John F. Kennedy, 1960.
"In
the councils of government, we must guard against the acquisition of
unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the
military-industrial complex. The potential for the disastrous rise
of misplaced power exists and will persist." - Dwight D.
Eisenhower, 1961.
"Let every nation know, whether it wish us well or ill, that we
shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any
friend, oppose any foe in order to assure the survival and the
success of liberty." - John F. Kennedy, 1961.
"People have got to know whether or not their President is a crook.
Well, I'm not a crook. I've earned everything I've got." -
Richard M. Nixon, 1973.
"I
will never apologize for the United States of America - I don't care
what the facts are." - George H.W. Bush, 1989 (commenting about
an Iranian airliner shot down by a U.S. warship).
"I
believe you deserve more than 30-second ads or vague promises.
That's why I've offered a comprehensive plan to get our economy
moving again...It starts with a tax cut for the middle class and
asks the rich to pay their fair share again." - Bill Clinton,
1992.
"Our enemies are innovative and resourceful, and so are we. They
never stop thinking about new ways to harm our country and our
people, and neither do we."— George W. Bush, 2004.
"Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some
other time. We are the ones we've been waiting for. We are the
change that we seek."— Barack Obama, 2009.
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About the Author |
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©2004-2009
Deborah O'Toole
For Ambermont Magazine
"Political Parties" is for entertainment purposes only
and expresses the sole opinions and observations of the author. This article is
not meant to be an essay about political controversy but rather a short piece
about the origins of the two primary political parties co-existing in the United
States of America, along with American political trivia and historical fact.
Other
articles by Deborah O'Toole:
> Leave a Comment:
Click "comment" below to send a remark about this article to the
author:
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Political Parties
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By
Deborah O'Toole
For
Ambermont Magazine
Updated:
4 Dec 2009
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