I think we agree. change is possible. but as an individual voting in a given election in a purple state when it doesn't look like a third party candidate has a chance, it makes sense to go with who you prefer of the two.
but our system is ultimately designed to be independent of parties, unlike parliamentary systems. if we want parties to have less influence in bigger races, what they did in Alaska is our best option cause it would work well to break party influence and has momentum.