Here's the problem, Greycap.

Suppose you came to a banquet, and you were very hungry, but there were only two dishes being served up on the table. One was Democratic Mush. The other was Republican Hash. Both dishes appeared pretty nauseating...but there was simply nothing else there to be eaten.

They gave you a fork and knife and spoon, directed you to your seat, and with a big smile on their faces said, "What would you like, sir? Democrat Mush or Republican Hash?" And you realize that you have just spent the last 8 years eating Republican Hash????

That is the choice American voters are given. You are quite right that they are being taken for a ride, but guess who runs the cafeteria? The Democrats and Republicans. And you can't eat anything they don't serve up. It's not on the menu if they don't serve it.

And you think America has a real democracy????? Ha! I laugh and laugh at the thought of that! America has a democracy like Rome had a democracy under the Caesars. They're just as badly off as you lot in the UK...maybe even worse.

The situation is sort of like that in Canada too, but it's milder. That's because we Canadians like a milder approach to things.