IAE Afraid that the younger generation's promise "Just wait 'til the older generation's gone, then we'll make a difference" are empty and that we will end up being just as disappointing to future generations?

In the past couple of election cycles all I've seen is outcry against the two-party system, outcry against marijuana prohibition, etc etc. Yet every election we see another Dem/Republican in office, prohibition extended, these changes that should happen falling tragically short.

I just get worried that we are the next hippies, dreaming and talking big, but eventually being happy to settle for a house in the 'burbs and HBO. Am I alone in this?