I didn't say maintain the status quo. You have much more chance of changing it by making ranked choice voting your rallying point than you do by voting for a candidate you consider to be left enough for you vs Democrats.
I voted Nader in 2000 because I believed as you do. The result was no different than what voting for this candidate will bring. (And I still get to listen to people blame me for Bush.)
You do you, all I'm saying is don't pretend you are moving the needle. You aren't, or you are moving it in the opposite direction you intend.