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Twelve months back, the landscape was utterly different. Ahead of the national election, thoughtful residents could admit the country's deep flaws – its unfairness and imbalance – however they could still see it as the US. A free society. A land where the rule of law carried weight. A country led by a dignified and upright official, notwithstanding his older age and increasing frailty.

These days, this autumn, many of us scarcely know the country we reside in. People believed to be undocumented migrants are collected and forced into transport, at times denied due process. The left side of the “people’s house” – is being destroyed to build a lavish ballroom. The president is persecuting his adversaries or perceived antagonists and requesting legal authorities surrender a massive sum of citizen dollars. Uniformed troops are dispatched to US urban areas on false pretexts. The defense headquarters, renamed the Defense Ministry, has effectively liberated itself of routine media oversight while it uses potentially totaling close to a trillion USD in public funds. Institutions, attorney offices, journalism organizations are submitting under the president’s threats, and billionaires are handled as members of the royal family.

“The US, shortly prior to its quarter-millennium anniversary as the planet's foremost free society, has crossed the limit into authoritarianism and fascism,” an American historian, wrote this past summer. “Ultimately, faster than I thought feasible, it occurred in this country.”

Every morning starts to new horrors. It is hard to comprehend – and agonizing to acknowledge – just how far gone we have become, and how quickly it occurred.

However, it is known that the leader was legitimately chosen. Even after his deeply disturbing initial presidency and even after the warnings linked to the knowledge of Project 2025 – despite the leader directly declared plainly he intended to be a dictator only on the first day – a majority of citizens chose him rather than Kamala Harris.

As terrifying as the present situation may be, it’s even scarier to recognize that we’re only three-quarters of a year into this administration. Where will another 36 months of this downfall find us? And what if the three years turns into something even longer, since there is nobody to limit this leader from determining that a third term is required, perhaps for defense purposes?

Admittedly, there is still hope. There will be legislative votes next year that could create a new governmental control, should Democrats recapture one or both houses of Congress. There exist public servants who are striving to impose certain responsibility, for example Democratic congressmen who are launching an investigation concerning the try to cash appropriation from legal authorities.

And a presidential election in 2028 could initiate us down the road to healing exactly as the previous vote set us on this disappointing trajectory.

We see countless citizens demonstrating in urban areas throughout communities, similar to recent last weekend at democracy demonstrations.

Robert Reich, wrote recently that “the dormant powerhouse of the nation is awakening”, just as it did post-McCarthyism during the fifties or amid the Vietnam war protests or during the seventies crisis.

On those occasions, the listing ship finally returned to balance.

He claims he recognizes the indicators of that awakening and sees it happening at present. As evidence, he references the recent massive protests, the widespread, bipartisan pushback against a television host's removal and the almost universal defiance by media to accept government requirements they report only approved content.

“The sleeping giant always remains dormant till certain corruption becomes so noxious, a particular deed so offensive of societal benefit, specific cruelty so disruptive, that he is compelled except to rise.”

It’s an optimistic take, and I respect the author's seasoned opinion. Perhaps he will be validated.

At the same time, the major inquiries endure: can America regain its footing? Can it reclaim its status internationally and its adherence to constitutional order?

Or should we recognize that the 250-year-old experiment succeeded temporarily, and then – abruptly, completely – collapsed?

My negative thoughts indicates that the final scenario is true; that all may indeed be finished. My optimistic spirit, though, tells me that we need to strive, in whatever ways available.

For me, working in journalism analysis, that involves urging journalists to adhere, more thoroughly, to their duty of holding power to account. For different individuals, it could mean participating in political races, or planning demonstrations, or finding ways to protect voting rights.

Under twelve months back, we lived in a separate situation. In the future? Or three years from now? The reality is, we are uncertain. Our sole course is try to not give up.

What Offers Me Optimism Currently

The engagement I experience with students with aspiring reporters, that are simultaneously idealistic and practical, {always