To preface, I was born in and live in the US. Before I answer, there are several things you say that I disagree with. First, why are the answers from folks like me and you the most relevant? There are more folks who live outside the United States than within. If you are specifically are looking for the opinions of those who live here, the question should be posed as such. A small change in wording shows that those of us who do live here can change to take a more global perspective. You’ll also notice I haven’t called myself an ‘American’ or referred to ‘America’. This is a small change I have made to the same end.

I also disagree that one can ‘vote wrongly’. People have the right to vote, and to vote according to their belief in their best interest, however misguided they may be. They trust the system which lies to them and has been propagandized for centuries. They have a desire for many of the same improvements the rest of us have (e.g. affordable healthcare), but they ignorantly turn to the snakeoil salesmen who promise them what they want. Perhaps we need to work on our own propaganda

But to answer your question, no I haven’t given up hope, and probably never will. Year after year I teach young compassionate people who, immediately desiring to change the world or not, will have a positive impact simply through their actions. It’s that proximity to the younger generation, which doesn’t give me hope, but gives me an immediate view of the people who will make a positive impact on our country and the world as a whole.

To that end perhaps, we need to identify that ‘hope is lost’ for our generation. We had the expectation that we would be the ones who would impart that change. I may have lost hope in that, and whether I live to see that change or not, I will never lose faith in those who come after us. I have seen far too much of what they are capable of.