The number of parties is really not the issue; it's the lack of representation of either party gives the average American. The Republican Party is controlled by religious zealots who are more concerned with their warped ideas of God and religion than they are the people of their country (sounds a lot like a radical religious group in the Middle East, different god, same misguided ideals). Then you have the Democrats that like to sing the songs of sympathy and understanding of the average Americans, but their message and their actions (or inaction) seem to be light years apart. The number of parties is of no consequence we just need a party that represents the mainstream of Americans, their ideals, their needs and their dreams.