Where does a young person acquire that view? When I was young, I never thought politicians had any effect on my life or that my vote mattered. I usually voted for some strange third party candidate like Anderson or Buchanan. Come to think of it, I still don't think they make a difference to me personally but, as I age, it's easier to see they might make a difference in the lives of people in need (after they take care of their corporate donors of course).