"I would prefer a system with NO political parties...none whatsoever...just candidates. "...etc...

Hmmm...interesting idea, but you KNOW that if they didn't label themselves, the media would. It's just too much trouble saying "one of those guys who propounds X,Y,Z and Q...but not A,B,C and J.."
...and do you think INDIVIDUALS would not sell out in various ways?

At least with the party system we have them adhering to 'some' sort of identifying platform and set of ideals.

(I knew a college prof. who advocated NO grades...none. When we asked him how he would handle requests from potential employers for recommendations. etc... He said "I'd tell them what I thought!"...I was afraid to ask him how it would be handled if he forgot..or died.)