While I disagree, it’s same/same. The parties control who gets the chance at being president, not you and not the public. They want you to think you do because they make it some big chest pumping ritual where you’re “doing your civic duty,” LOL
No different than religion. They light a spark in easily duped people, and then they fuel it with promises that they’re looking out for you first, and then guilt if you don’t sit in the pew or cast a vote for their mothership.
Nothing about American government is democratic, or a republic, or blah blah blah. It’s two parties each wanting to be in control who limit your options to two sets of their minions. You have no choice but from those two companies.