If you want to understand what a tight club the parties are, bring some excellent American, like a war hero,businessman, etc to your local party and suggest they run for mayor or Congress. You will be run off like a criminal because “they” have their chosen ones. I’ve seen it happen with a decorated colonel, former prosecutor, business leader who had served America all over the globe. They told him to lick stamps and make phone calls for 20 years and they’ll see what they can do for him.
Yep. Closed membership club. You are right.