The problem is not that there are two parties, the problem is that there are two brands that most Americans have an unquestioning loyalty to, like a sports team

The problem is not that there are two parties, the problem is that there are two brands that most Americans have an unquestioning loyalty to, like a sports team. If the parties were strong, they would be able to use their influence to make legislation happen and govern effectively. This was how things used to work in the LBJ era. Powerful people in either party could get members with diverse opinions to vote to get things done. They could even offer favors to members of the opposing party and get them to come along. Bi-partisanship was always transactional. But because we oppose "deals" and favor ideological purity (on both sides) nothing gets done. Now the power is with donors, not parties.