Populist Reform of the Democratic Party

Speaking as a youth, I'd say that you're correct in that we perceive the world as a place where doing bad gets rewards. But I don't think many (or even a large minority) want it to be that way. By and large, we just feel screwed, and keep watching our futures go down the tube while the people screwing us get away with it. It's what keeps us disengaged, and, like you said, the oligarchs have worked hard to make it that way.

I think if we see some light, if we see someone who cares and is willing to fight for us, we will support them and fight for them. We want to change how this world works, too, but I think we feel lost, unfocused, and unsure about how to do so. A good leader could harness a lot of frustration out there, because our current rulers aren't.