Seems to me, the choice is very limited to those that the elite allows you to choose from. Hint: they never lose. Also, recall that there is a massive shadow government, ie. the defacto government.
Inside the Shadow Government:
http://www.thirdworldtraveler.com/FBI/FEMA_ITSG.html
And then, let's not forget that all that we see is but the tip of the iceberg. We don't know the names of those that truly are in power. Consider that there were billionaires in the early 20th century .. consider how wealth makes wealth. Consider how Bill Gates is far from the "richest man in the world".
peace