What is a political party?

In my view, political parties are organizational machines created to gain control of a democratic government, through financial support, policy amending control, and the selection of viable candidates who support most of these parties views and stances. Washington's farewell address brings up a interesting point of view concerning political parties. According to his speech, Washington was fearful of party organization. But why? Was revolt the reasoniong behind his statements? or revolt against his organiztion, his blood sweat and tears, his friends, his system? Washington had no desire to become the proclaimmed monarch of the new America, but was he worried of a new party forming that was still loyalist to the British crown? I think Washington had the desires and concerns of the people in the forefreont: Washington may have feared political parties will eventually lead to more centralized factions among the people, leading to parties centered around the elite, the populus needs ignored, and, eventually, a North vs South, sacrificing public liberty in the process. On the other hand, DeLay's speech makes him out to be an advocate of the political system. I think congress may have realized in the past 100 years that have centrtalized power definately isnt a bad thing; how can we hold onto these seats and still cover the ears and eyes of the American people? Enter a 2 party system, where congressmen like DeLay have no real threat of outside opinion and opposition. Sure, there are 2 parties, but does the policy making and decisions really change drastically with each new congress? The 2 party system has created a loophole in the process of decision making of the American voters; dont venture too far from the status quo and power will remain in the same hands.