Captain Crunch, Anyone?

As the prelude to our presidential election farce begins its march into the laughable territory of the ludicrous nominating process, including debates that aren't debates, I welcome answers from either side of the aisle. How is it we can all choose from well over fifty different varieties of cereal but there are only two viable political parties at our disposal?

I'm aware of the fact that we often have more than two choices when entering the ballot box. However, when was the last time someone other than a Democrat or a Republican was elected to any significant public office higher than dogcatcher? Put another way, when did anyone last see a color aside from red or blue on any TV map? Try imagining the mayhem that would ensue if just Rice Krispies and Cherrios were on grocery shelves. The consuming public would revolt! What about the voting public?

Who we choose to represent us in Government might be the most critical choice we make as citizens. But instead of several options, we're essentially stuck with an odious either/or when electing a President, a Senator, a Freeholder, for crying out loud. How can something so important be relegated to such an antiquated bi-polar construct?

I've been chastised more than once for "wasting" my vote in the past on someone with no chance of winning - that would be someone not a donkey or an elephant. I plead guilty by reason of sanity. In my further defense I submit the following: Red & blue are not alone on the spectrum; that ark had more than donkeys & elephants on it; Captain Crunch is still available at a store near you.