Class 3

This class we learned about the U.S Government system. How everything is organized and how the system is divided. Besides of what I learned in class I decided to search a little bit more about the political parties. The most known are the Republican Party and the Democratic Party, but there are several more that are not well known. I’ll just describe each one very shortly.

The American Independent Party www.aipca.org: this Party believes in liberty and justice. There are very religious. Their priorities are to protect de right of life and family values, secure the border and enforce immigration laws and to promote the Declaration of Independence principles.

The Democratic Party http://www.cadem.org/: they believe that the government should provide quality education for all, protect citizens’ rights and ensure a stable country with strong and expanding economy. Their priorities are to give more jobs, improve affordable healthcare and end wars in Irak and Afganistan.

The Green Party http://www.cagreens.org/: they stand for peace, social and economic justice, nonviolence, respect for

diversity and protection of the environment. Their priorities are to provide a clean energy and environment, protect the planet, its people and promote peace.

The Libertarian Party http://www.ca.lp.org/: this is a socially tolerant and fiscally responsible Party. Their priorities are to increase individual liberty and responsibility, reduce taxes and shrink the government.

The Peace and Freedom Party http://www.peaceandfreedom.org/: they stand for equal rights and good life standard for citizens and protect the earth. Their priorities are to end war, provide good jobs with higher pay and more taxes for wealthy people for healthcare, housing and education for everyone.

The Republican Party http://www.cagop.org/: this party aims to improving quality of life by creating jobs, and improving education, healthcare and environment. Their top priorities are to promote an economy t

hat creates new jobs, to reform education and pension systems and to protect taxpayers-force government to be accountable.

Of course there are many many other Parties. Some are very serious and others, well... not that much. Many states have their own political Parties as well. If you want more information about all these Parties and their description, click here.

Fun fact: the Republicans and the Democrats are the most important Parties and they are represented by an elephant and a donkey. Why? Long story short: During Democrat Andrew Jackson’s presidential campaign (1828) his opponents used to call him a jackass (donkey). He decided to represent his Party using the image of this animal describing themselves as humble, strong-willed and brave. A cartoonist, Thomas Nast, made this symbol famous by using it in newspaper cartoons.

He also made famous the elephant symbol for the Republicans when he drew the donkey dressed as a lion scaring all the animals in a zoo. The elephant was labeled "the Republican vote" and now they use it to represent their strength and dignity and intelligence.