There is a larger issue than political parties going on in this country. We are engaged in a cultural war for the soul of the country and the restoration of the constitutional republic.
This country is split down the middle between two diametrically oppsed points of view; big government socialism/communism and small government conservative democracy if you will. The only resemblance to 1850 or 1861 is the level of animosity and vitriol. Even higher that before the Civil War IMO.
This conflict will not be settled at the ballot box due to the fact that the level of corruption and criminality has reached too high into both parties. Since our system of government does not lend itself to a third party you will not see a strong third party emerge. It will not happen.
What you will see is one of two things:
1. A resolution conflict ending in a climactic shakeup of our entire government and a restoration of the constitutional republic.
2. A resolution conflict ending in a coalition of separatist regions.
I am personally hopeful for #1. I could live with #2. I cannot abide the status quo.
We are one Bundy ranch away from the kickoff of a resolution conflict. The powers that be in the Federal government and both parties are completely aware of this. That is why you don’t see the GOPe doing anymore than the Dems to roll back the militarization of the DHS and other govt agencies as well as the police forces around the country.
That is the only reason to fight for the election of guys like Cruz, Lee, Paul, Gomerht, Gowdy, Sessions, Hunter et al is so there will be enough good guys around to make sure we put the puzzle back together after the fire.
1. A resolution conflict ending in a climactic shakeup of our entire government and a restoration of the constitutional republic..."
Those will not happen, any more than Bill Ayres 1960s era bomb making and thousands of hippie demonstrations shouting "what do we want? Revolution! When do we want it? Now!"
They didn't get violent revolution.
Instead they got Bill Clinton and Barak Obama for presidents and Obama-Care's medical "revolution".
Today there is not yet a critical-mass of citizens in favor of conservative reforms, but November could be a big step in that direction, and if so, the next two years will get very interesting indeed.