When I was younger I thought the same way. I used to validate it the same way. The reality was that I was simply uninterested in voting (too much effort) and politics in any way. I was too apathetic and lazy to care really. But if there was a protest? Sign me right up, fun.

Politicians address the needs of their constituents, their voters. Unfortunately many young people don't vote, so naturally issues important to young voters get overlooked.

For example, a tiny fraction of young voters could completely change the political landscape in the US, but the fact of the matter is - most just aren't interested in voting, so it just doesn't happen.

Of course, if you started your own political party, with a proper mandate to change housing in the country (a massively difficult task and fiendishly complex), and you got people to vote for you - then you could effect change. But that's too much effort for most. It's easier just to turn up and block traffic or smash up a McDonalds.