Hopelessness is a psychological weapon. If I suggest contacting your political representatives and pusing for some outcome, I am (1) doing the best I know how, and (2) have some small sliver of hope. It is not up to me what finally happens, I can only be the best person I can be.
If someone comes along and says that won't work, that "they" are in control and we are powerless.... without offering a better path forward, then I consider myself to have been attacked by a psychological weapon designed to stop me from taking any action.
I've got a list of cynics who I, on some days, filter out of my feed.