Right, nothing new under the sun, just saying 'what's so'. Reviewing this part of the thread, I see that "Henry" was saying what I (and you) said
Which is why a third, or fourth, or fifth party is really, really unlikely to have any positive effect on the course of the nation.
Third parties can be simon-pure because they're in no danger of actually electing candidates who will then have to perform.
And as to the people pulling the strings in any party, the rank and file have 0% say in the LP, as in the Dem and GOP.