As in the UK, to stay in power, the main parties need to look outside their membership and select candidates that will attract lethargic, jaded, sceptical, cheated and already pissed off potential voters, who think all politicians are the same.

That's the problem with the only two party system in the US. You need a progressive (center left) third party wich hold the balance of power to keep the the reigning party honest

Ranked choice voting would be a good help, in fact we may be losing our right to vote here sooner than anyone can right the ship. Check out the "SAVE" act now headed to the Senate for voting.

Unfortunately that would shatter the left and install permanent right wing kakistocracy. Trouble is, many of us are not very intelligent here. That's a very big problem.

Here in the US, a new non-disgusting non-felon who does not spout atrocious sexist tropes, racist hate speech, and vicious lies all day and all night would be a great start.