I wouldn't shed any tears if both parties dried up and blew away. But it has to be both. It's a disarmament problem, and both sides have to stand down--or be removed--simultaneously.

I think that what would do it would be two "third" parties, or even better, two strong independents, balanced conventionally left and right, to be symmetrical spoilers.

I prefer the independents, of course...I'd rather avoid "see the new boss, same as the old boss", and enjoy being able to run America without political parties for a while. I was flogging the idea a few days ago of an independent Gore versus an independent from the Conservative side. Best nomination I've heard so far is Newt. I'd go with that.