That's the power structure. The traditional parties have all the donations locked up. They have that corporate welfare relationship with business that no one wants to see dismantled. When Badnarik (sp?) got some decent coverage in local news markets he immediately got better poll numbers.
People don't realize they have other choices, which is the only way anything is ever going to change.
I could probably raise 30 separate issues, like the ones you raised, from borders to getting US out of the U.N. where there simply is no choice, both sides support the same thing. I confront it on local issues as well. Politicians simply do whatever they dang well please. In this city virtually every politician, no matter what party, supports light rail, even though it is phenomenally ineffective.
There is so much of this that is ingrained in the existing power structure that wants to maintain the status quo.
People do want real change though, which is why Perot did so well at first. But right now, there is no where to turn.
I think there is a lot of fear in the idea of throwing away your vote to someone outside either of the two main parties. I know I don't want my vote to be thrown away. I might just as well stay home. Unfortunately, too many people have probably concluded the same thing.