A Short History Lesson - The Political Parties

It always amazes me during political campaigns, especially presidential campaigns, that ethnic minorities in this country side with and vote for the Democratic Party. I support their right to do so but I still don't understand it considering the history behind the parties.

Thomas Jefferson founded the Democratic Party in 1792 as a congressional caucus to fight for the Bill of Rights and against the elitist Federalist Party. In 1798, the "party of the common man" was officially named the Democratic-Republican Party and in 1800 elected Jefferson as the first Democratic President of the United States.

I do think that Thomas Jefferson, like the other founding fathers, was a great man who was instrumental in creating this great country. However, the founder of the Democratic Party was a SLAVE OWNER.

The Republican Party was born in the early 1850's by anti-slavery activists and individuals who believed that government should grant western lands to settlers free of charge. The first informal meeting of the party took place in Ripon, Wisconsin.

The first Republican Party President elected to office was Abraham Lincoln. You might remember President Lincoln as the President that ENDED SLAVERY.

There are more instances where the elected officials affiliated with the Democratic Party did their best to keep down minorities but that's for another Short History Lesson.