Help US Government (class discussion)

Our two-party system tends to draw the voting population toward either the Democratic or Republican party. However, many people refer to themselves as politically Independent when polled.

Take a look at the most recent Gallup poll on Party Affiliation (https://news.gallup.com/poll/15370/party-affiliation.aspx).

What keeps Independents from saying that they align with either the Democrats or the Republicans? Or do they really align with one side? Explain your response.

Is the two-party system working? Why or why not?