Why political parties?

Why Republican or Democrat? Why political parties? Is it wrong for a candidate to run for office just based on his/her own beliefs, ethics and ideas?

Instead we have candidates and people already in office make decisions based on whether they are labeled as "conservative" or "liberal." Nobody is going to be liberal or conservative on all aspects of government. The public should vote for the better man or woman qualified for the job, not for the elephant or the donkey.

Tyrell Seely

Salt Lake City