My eldest son, who's 22 is cynical too. Not as much by experience but a very keen mind and a search for truths. He was the HS debate champion for our state and learned how to look at things from different perspectives. He didn't vote in November because he felt that it didn't matter. That the old boss would be replaced by the new boss. I had the same feelings (supported Edwards because I was too cynical to support Kucinich with heart) and I feel like the child next to my son because when I pulled the lever for Obama, it was a final hope that I might be wrong.
So far, Obama has proven me right about him. My first questioning of him came when he ran against Alan Keyes for Senate. Why didn't the Republicans replace Ryan with a more viable candidate? His vote for Rice in the Foreign Relations Committee was a huge red flag to me. Barbara Boxer gave a brilliant argument that Rice shouldn't be confirmed, and he voted for Rice. His vote for FISA turned my stomach. Then his meteoric rise and with a rise like that, he had to have some powerful people behind him. He told people what they wanted to hear, with eloquence and charisma(and he still does).
I was happy, ecstatic when he won, and it lasted for about a nanosecond. The minute that he selected Rahm for COS I knew we were sold a bill of goods.

It isn't wonderful going through life as a cynic and it is in fact against my true nature and hugs to you because it isn't a pleasant way to live one's life.