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In late October 2024, the situation was utterly different. Prior to the national election, thoughtful Americans could admit the nation's deep flaws – its inequities and disparity – however they could still perceive it as the US. A free society. A place where constitutional order meant something. A state led by a honorable and ethical leader, despite his older age and growing weakness.

Nowadays, in late October 2025, many of us scarcely know the land we reside in. Persons suspected of being undocumented migrants are rounded up and shoved into vans, at times blocked from fair treatment. The left side of the White House – is undergoing demolition to build a lavish event space. The leader is harassing his opponents or alleged foes and requesting legal authorities transfer an enormous amount of citizen dollars. Soldiers with weapons are dispatched to US urban areas under fabricated reasons. The military command, rebranded the War Department, has – in effect – rid itself of regular press examination as it spends possibly reaching close to a trillion USD of taxpayer money. Colleges, law firms, news companies are yielding from leader's menaces, and rich magnates are treated like nobility.

“America, just months before its 250-year mark as the globe's top democratic nation, has tipped over the edge into authoritarianism and totalitarianism,” Garrett Graff, stated recently. “Ultimately, faster than I thought feasible, it transpired in this country.”

Every morning starts with fresh terrors. And it's difficult to grasp – and painful to realize – how severely declined we are, and the rapid pace with which it unfolded.

Yet, it is known that the leader was legitimately chosen. Following his profoundly alarming initial presidency and despite the alerts linked to the knowledge of the conservative plan – following the president personally declared plainly he intended to rule as a tyrant solely at the start – sufficient voters selected him instead of his Democratic opponent.

While alarming as the present situation is, it's more frightening to recognize that we have only been three-quarters of a year under this leadership. Where will three more years of this decline position us? And suppose that period transforms into a more extended duration, as there is nobody to stop this ruler from opting that another term is necessary, maybe for defense purposes?

Granted, not everything is hopeless. We will have congressional elections next year that may bring a different governmental control, if Democrats regain either chamber of the legislature. We have elected officials who are trying to apply certain responsibility, like representatives currently starting a probe into the attempted cash appropriation from the justice department.

And a national vote three years from now could initiate our journey toward restoration exactly as last year’s election placed us on this regrettable path.

There are millions of Americans demonstrating in public spaces throughout communities, as they did in the past days during anti-authority protests.

A former official, stated lately that “the dormant powerhouse of the US is stirring”, similar to past following the Red Scare in the 1950s or amid anti-war demonstrations or in the Watergate scandal.

During those times, the listing ship eventually was righted.

Reich says he knows the signals of that resurgence and observes it occurring currently. As evidence, he points to the widespread marches, the widespread, bipartisan pushback to a television host's removal and the largely united refusal by journalists to sign the defense department’s demands they only publish what is sanctioned.

“The slumbering entity consistently stays inactive until some venality turns extremely harmful, an specific act so contemptuous of the common good, some brutality so loud, that the giant has no choice other than to stir.”

It's a positive outlook, and I appreciate the author's seasoned opinion. Perhaps he will be validated.

In the meantime, the crucial issues endure: is the US able to regain its footing? Is it possible to restore its status in the world and its adherence to legal principles?

Or do we need to admit that the historical project worked for a while, and then – swiftly, totally – ended?

My cynical mind tells me that the final scenario is correct; that all may indeed be lost. My hopeful heart, however, advises me that we have to attempt, in whatever ways we can.

Personally, working in journalism analysis, that means encouraging reporters to live up, more thoroughly, to their mission of scrutinizing authority. For others, it might involve working on election efforts, or organizing rallies, or developing approaches to protect ballot privileges.

Less than a year ago, we were in a separate situation. Twelve months later? Or in several years? The truth is, we are uncertain. Our sole course is to strive to not give up.

What’s Giving Me Optimism Currently

The contact I have with students with new media professionals, who are both visionary and grounded, {always