History Lovers, wanna DU this one for fun?

[OnionPatch]

I LOVE Thomas Jefferson and isn't he considered the father of the Democratic party? There's a poll at Time Mag about which one of the forefathers would be the best president right now so, of course, I voted for him. I think he's probably rolling in the grave at the crap these neocons are pulling these days. And guess who's winning the poll...Alexander Hamilton! Now, I'm no history expert, but wasn't he the one who didn't really think the "mobs" could rule themselves and wanted more government powers? I just seem to remember thinking "fascist" when I read about him. Seems a shame to let Jefferson lose to him. Help me save Jefferson.
http://www.time.com/time/covers/1101040705/

[doctorbombeigh]

1. Hamilton in the lead? What the cheney is up with that? n/t

[Dookus]

8. He's the Founder of the Month

due to a new, popular biography of him by Ron Chernow.

[Race4Peace]

2. just did it, and TJ is the man

[sir_captain]

3. In a lot of ways, Hamilton was actually the progenitor of the Dems

he was the main force behind the Federalist Papers, which led into our Constitution (as opposed the Articles of Confederation)

He was a brilliant man who espoused a strong Federal government. Hardly a fascist, he is responsible for many of the check and balance safeguards that exist in our governmental structure. In fact, many of those safeguards were to prevent extremist "mobs" (as you put it) from grabbing power over the entire populace.

Edit: I like Jefferson a lot as well, but you do have to remember that the man owned slaves and chose his state over his country at almost every turn. On his gravestone, he is called a Virginian and no mention is even made of his presidency. As a slaveowner and staunch supporter of states' rights, I'm not sure I could really call him the father of the modern Democratic party. I think that honor would have to go to FDR, really. Or even LBJ, in a sense. Until he broke rank with the Southern Democrats... well, just remember that Strom Thurmond ran for President on the Dixie Democrat segregation ticket in 1948.

[Justitia]

4. Well of course I had to vote for Jefferson

he's letting me borrow his pic as my avatar.

Sorry about the crappy state of affairs around here Thomas, I know it has to be both embarrassing and frustrating to you and Washington and Ben, et al up there - RIP. O8)

[JDPriestly]

5. I voted for Jefferson

because of his belief in the separation of church and state, and because he was a scholar and an amateur scientist -- a well-rounded person.

[Race4Peace]

6. Same here, and congrats on hitting 200

[Rhiannon12866]

7. I am a history lover

and got TJ up to 30002. I hope that this helped. I was torn, since I graduated from Hamilton College.:shrug: