I’d explain the difference between the Lincoln/Whig situation, but it seems like you already know that difference. The Republican party was already over half-finished replacing the Whig part at the time of Lincolns election. In our two-party system, the Whig party had already been reduced to the third party — it wasn’t a presidential election that did that. It was a long game that involved many prominent politicians defecting to other parties, before the election. The libertarians have a long way to go (though I will admit that nominating Trump is the sort of thing that might get the ball rolling. Time will tell).

As far as democrats go… don’t even try that “earned my vote” mess. If you’re concerned about progressive legislation, the democratic party has done more in that arena than the green party, and Clinton has done more in that arena than Stein. These are facts. Now, I understand things might not have proceeded to your full satisfaction (they haven’t to mine, so I’m with you there), but if Clinton and the Democrats haven’t earned your vote, Stein and the green party haven’t even earned your attention.

All that said, none of what you’ve written has in any way altered the truths of what the author has written.