On a purely practical survival level both Democrats and Republicans are useful to not only Americans but to all mankind

The most practical survival level premise of the Democratic party is Human Rights. Because without human rights nothing useful (for all mankind) ever gets done by selfish leaders only thinking about themselves.

The most practical thing about Republicans (can be) that they are monetarily more responsible than Democrats and that they believe in Defending the U.S. from all threats from both within and without.

So, the Republicans are often thinking like Policemen and Police women (which can be both good and bad as we have seen across our nation).

And the Democrats are for enough human rights so everyone doesn't want to commit suicide by age 20 or 21.

And Republicans are usually going to defend the nation so we continue our democracy in a Republic.

However, this is the traditional Democratic and Republican party and only theoretical of the way it all was when I grew up.

Now almost anything goes in both parties which is very distressing to watch.