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In late October 2024, the situation was entirely distinct. Before the American presidential vote, reflective residents could admit America's significant faults – its injustices and imbalance – yet they could still see it as the US. A democratic nation. A place where constitutional order held significance. A country led by a honorable and decent public servant, even with his elderly years and growing weakness.

Currently, this autumn, countless Americans barely recognize the nation we reside in. Individuals suspected of being illegal immigrants are collected and shoved into transport, occasionally denied due process. The left side of the “people’s house” – is undergoing demolition for an obscene dance hall. The president is targeting his opponents or alleged foes and insisting the justice department surrender an enormous amount of citizen dollars. Soldiers with weapons are deployed into American cities with deceptive justifications. The defense headquarters, rebranded the Department of War, has effectively liberated itself of day-to-day journalistic scrutiny as it spends potentially totaling almost one trillion dollars in public funds. Universities, legal practices, news companies are buckling under the president’s threats, and billionaires are handled as members of the royal family.

“The United States, only a few months ahead of its 250-year mark as the globe's top democratic nation, has tipped over the brink toward dictatorship and totalitarianism,” Garrett Graff, commented in August. “Finally, faster than I thought feasible, it occurred in America.”

Each day begins amid recent atrocities. It is difficult to grasp – and painful to realize – just how far gone we are, and how quickly it occurred.

However, we understand that Trump was legitimately chosen. Despite his highly troubling initial presidency and following the cautions associated with the understanding of Project 2025 – following the president personally stated openly he planned to be a dictator solely at the start – enough Americans selected him over Kamala Harris.

Frightening as the current reality are, it's more frightening to understand that we’re only three-quarters of a year into this presidential term. Where will three more years of this deterioration position us? And suppose that period turns into an prolonged era, as there is no one to limit this leader from deciding that additional tenure is essential, possibly for national security reasons?

Certainly, there is still hope. There will be congressional elections in 2026 that could bring a different political equilibrium, should Democrats regain either chamber of Congress. We have public servants who are striving to impose a degree of oversight, for example representatives that are initiating an inquiry regarding the effort to money grab from the justice department.

And a presidential election in the next cycle could start our journey to recovery precisely as the previous vote set us on this regrettable path.

There are millions of Americans protesting in public spaces throughout communities, as they did last weekend at democracy demonstrations.

An ex-cabinet member, stated lately that “the dormant powerhouse of the US is awakening”, exactly as before following the Red Scare in the 1950s or during the sixties activism or in the Watergate scandal.

On those occasions, the unstable nation finally returned to balance.

He claims he understands the indicators of that revival and sees it happening at present. As evidence, he cites the recent massive protests, the extensive, cross-party resistance to a broadcaster's firing and the almost universal rejection by reporters to agree to military mandates they solely cover approved content.

“The sleeping giant perpetually exists inactive before certain corruption grows too toxic, an specific act so offensive toward public welfare, some brutality so noisy, that he is forced except to rise.”

It’s an optimistic take, and I respect the author's seasoned opinion. Possibly he may prove to be right.

At the same time, the big questions persist: will the nation ever recover? Is it possible to restore its status in the world and its adherence to constitutional order?

Or do we need to admit that the national endeavor worked for a while, and then – suddenly, utterly – failed?

My cynical mind indicates that the second option is accurate; that everything might be finished. My positive feelings, though, convinces me that we have to attempt, in whatever ways possible.

Personally, as a media critic, that’s about encouraging reporters to adhere, more thoroughly, to their mission of holding power to account. For others, it may be participating in congressional campaigns, or coordinating protests, or discovering methods to protect ballot privileges.

Less than a year ago, we existed in an alternate reality. A year from now? Or three years from now? The truth is, we are uncertain. The only option is try to persevere.

What’s Giving Me Hope Now

The contact I experience in the classroom with new media professionals, that are simultaneously visionary and realistic, {always