Surprising things in this thread:
1) People actually think their opinions matter. If you don't have money for lobbying/a power base your opinion isn't worth shit.
2) People still believe there is a difference between Republican and Democratic ruling parties?
3) People willingly follow politics instead of viewing some other form of entertainment
4) People believe Ron Paul will actually change things if elected. I suspect if it happens lame duck will be renamed Ron Pauled.
5) How effective propaganda is. I suspect many don't even realize they are being manipulated.

The next presidency will be unremarkable. Status quo will be retained because it's best for business. You may get something to appease the disenfranchised majority like the UAE dolled out. It won't happen until one of those retarded occupy hipsters shoots a businessman though. Even then they might just move to HK/Singapore and wash their hands of the whole affair looting the coffers from afar.