You're correct, its not about the 2 party system. the problem, is human nature. Deep down, we're all greedy and self serving, and this shows in our actions, even sub-consciously, very few humans can escape this pitfall, and they often go on to greatness when they do.
That still leaves us with the problem of 'normal' humans being left to run the day to day stuff, when we are given ample opportunities to cheat the system, and make a buck doing so. What needs to happen, is the system needs to change to account for this.
Step one: ALL government salaries get capped at the average american income, if the average american makes 32,000 a year, so does the president, chiefs of staff, and all military salaries. you want to make more money? improve the fucking country. All forms of additional payment in any method (Bonuses etc) are banned. because of the lose of life that can happen when this rule would get subverted, punishment is mandatory life sentence without parole.
Step two: Ban ALL form of campaign contribution, and campaigning. you are allowed to distribute a one page letter to the American public detailing your political stances on various issue, you are NOT allowed to include anything do to with race or religion, doing so earns you the same punishment as rule 1.
Step three: You vote for war, you GO to war, ever politician who votes "Yes" on a bill to declare war that is passed gets drafted into the infantry where they will not be allowed to leave until they have earned their action badge.
Step four: ?????
Step five: NO Profit, and thats the fucking point.
Does this go into the extremes? A little bit, but look around you guys, they are already taking it to the extreme. They can now kidnap an american citizen from his bed at night, ship him off to a git-mo clone for the rest of his life. yeah, that doesn't sound like the Nazi Germany SS or anything.. no, its completely different.