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One year ago, the environment was entirely different. Before the national election, considerate citizens could admit America's deep flaws – its injustices and inequality – but they still could identify it as the US. A free society. A country where constitutional order held significance. A nation led by a dignified and decent public servant, even with his older age and increasing frailty.

These days, in late October 2025, many of us barely recognize the nation we live in. Individuals alleged as illegal immigrants are collected and forced into vehicles, occasionally denied due process. The left side of the presidential residence – is being destroyed to build a lavish ballroom. Donald Trump is harassing his political rivals or alleged foes and insisting legal authorities hand over a massive sum of citizen dollars. Soldiers with weapons are deployed into American cities on false pretexts. The defense headquarters, renamed the Department of War, has effectively rid itself of day-to-day journalistic scrutiny during its expenditure of possibly reaching almost one trillion dollars in public funds. Institutions, law firms, journalism organizations are submitting from leader's menaces, and rich magnates are treated like nobility.

“America, shortly prior to its 250-year mark as the world’s leading democracy, has fallen over the edge toward dictatorship and totalitarianism,” a noted author, stated recently. “Ultimately, faster than I believed likely, it occurred in America.”

Every morning starts to new horrors. And it's hard to comprehend – and agonizing to acknowledge – just how far gone we are, and how quickly it occurred.

Yet, we understand that Trump was duly elected. Even after his deeply disturbing previous administration and following the alerts that came with the understanding of the conservative plan – following Trump himself declared plainly he would be a dictator solely at the start – enough Americans selected him over Kamala Harris.

As terrifying as the current reality may be, it's more daunting to realize that we are just nine months into this administration. What will an additional three years of this decline position us? And suppose the three years becomes something even longer, since there is not anyone to restrain this president from determining that a third term is required, possibly for defense purposes?

Admittedly, there is still hope. There will be midterm elections the coming year that may establish an alternate balance of power, in case Democrats retake either chamber of Congress. We have public servants who are striving to exert certain responsibility, like Democratic congressmen who are starting a probe concerning the try to fund seizure by federal prosecutors.

And a presidential election in 2028 could initiate us down the road toward restoration precisely as the prior selection set us on this regrettable path.

There exist countless citizens protesting in public spaces of their cities, like they performed in the past days at democracy demonstrations.

Robert Reich, commented this week that “the great sleeping giant of America is stirring”, similar to past post-McCarthyism during the fifties or throughout the sixties activism or throughout the Nixon controversy.

During those times, the listing ship ultimately corrected itself.

Reich says he recognizes the signals of that awakening and observes it occurring currently. As evidence, he references the widespread marches, the broad, bipartisan pushback against a television host's removal and the almost universal rejection by reporters to accept government requirements they only publish authorized information.

“The sleeping giant consistently stays inactive until certain corruption turns extremely harmful, some action so contemptuous toward public welfare, some brutality so disruptive, that the giant is forced other than to stir.”

It's a hopeful perspective, and I value Reich’s experienced view. Perhaps he will prove to be right.

In the meantime, the big questions remain: is the US able to ever recover? Is it possible to restore its position in the world and its devotion to legal principles?

Or do we need to admit that the historical project succeeded temporarily, and then – swiftly, totally – ended?

My pessimistic brain indicates that the latter is accurate; that all may indeed be lost. My optimistic spirit, nevertheless, tells me that we need to strive, by any means we can.

In my case, as an observer of the press, that involves encouraging reporters to adhere, more completely, to their mission of overseeing leadership. For others, it might involve participating in election efforts, or organizing rallies, or finding ways to safeguard electoral access.

Under twelve months back, we were in a separate situation. Twelve months later? Or three years from now? The truth is, we cannot predict. Our sole course is to strive to not give up.

What Offers Me Optimism Currently

The contact I have during teaching with new media professionals, who are equally visionary and realistic, {always