Birth of the Democratic Party (January 8, 1828)

Having looked at the birth of the G.O.P. yesterday, I thought it only fair to do the same for the Democrats, today. Because my own leanings are slightly left of centre, this should be interesting.

The Democratic Party is the oldest voter-based political party in the world and the oldest existing political party in the United States. The party’s modern institutions were formed in the 1830s and 1840s. Known as the party of the “common man,” the early Democratic Party stood for individual rights and state sovereignty, but opposed banks and high tariffs. During the Second Party System (from 1832 to the mid-1850s) under Presidents Andrew Jackson, Martin Van Buren and James K. Polk, the Democrats usually bested the opposition Whig Party by narrow margins.

The Democratic Party has changed significantly during its more than two centuries of existence. During the 19th century the party supported or tolerated slavery, and it opposed civil rights reforms after the American Civil War in order to retain the support of Southern voters. From 1860 to 1932 in the era of the American Civil War to the Great Depression, the opposing Republican Party, organized in the mid-1850s from the ruins of the Whig Party and some other smaller splinter groups, was dominant in presidential politics. The Democrats elected only two Presidents during this period: Grover Cleveland (in 1884 and 1892) and Woodrow Wilson (in 1912 and 1916). Over the same period, the Democrats proved more competitive with the Republicans in Congressional politics, enjoying House of Representatives majorities (as in the 65th Congress) in 15 of the 36 Congresses elected, although only in five of these did they form the majority in the Senate. Furthermore, the Democratic Party was split between the Bourbon Democrats, representing Eastern business interests; and the agrarian elements comprising poor farmers in the South and West. The agrarian element, marching behind the slogan of free silver (i.e. in favor of inflation), captured the party in 1896 and nominated William Jennings Bryan in the 1896, 1900 and 1908 presidential elections, although he lost every time. Both Bryan and Wilson were leaders of the progressive movement in the United States (1890s–1920s) and opposed imperialistic expansion abroad while sponsoring liberal reforms at home.

Wikipedia

In fact, it wasn’t until FDR came along that the American people decided to back the New Deal, by voting Democrat. Only Eisenhower broke the string of Democratic presidents before Nixon brought the pendulum swing back into operation between the two parties.

This chart is randomized. I was surprised to see that the Ascendant was @ 0° Gemini, inconjunct to Mercury @ 2° Capricorn. Because this is not a ‘proven’ birth time for the party, it may not apply.

Mercury Inconjunct Ascendant

You are likely to have some problems, but not serious ones, in communicating with others. The problem is that people’s first impressions of you may not fit in with what you say or your manner of thinking and speaking. People tend to hear what they expect to hear, and they may not listen to you as carefully as they should. So you will have to be as clear as possible and insist that others listen to what you are really saying. If others do not understand you, it is up to you to set them straight.

The pattern also works in reverse in that what you say may make people respond in ways that you can’t accept. For example, you may be outspoken and frank but dislike it when others are, preferring to be treated gently and sensitively.

(Is this why the donkey was chosen as their mascot?)

Let’s Call It Being in Two Minds about Everything

Hmm.