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Twelve months back, the situation was entirely different. Ahead of the US presidential election, considerate residents could admit America's serious imperfections – its injustices and disparity – but they could still perceive it as the US. A democratic nation. A land where constitutional order carried weight. A country headed by a respectable and decent leader, even with his older age and increasing frailty.

Currently, this autumn, countless Americans scarcely know the nation we reside in. Persons believed to be unauthorized foreigners are rounded up and pushed into transport, sometimes denied due process. The left side of the White House – is undergoing demolition for a grotesque dance hall. Donald Trump is persecuting his political rivals or alleged foes and requesting federal prosecutors hand over a huge total of taxpayer money. Soldiers with weapons are dispatched to US urban areas under fabricated reasons. The military command, rebranded the Defense Ministry, has practically liberated itself of regular press examination while it uses potentially totaling almost one trillion dollars in public funds. Institutions, law firms, journalism organizations are yielding due to presidential intimidation, and billionaires are treated like nobility.

“The United States, only a few months ahead of its 250-year mark as the planet's foremost free society, has crossed the brink into authoritarianism and totalitarianism,” a noted author, commented this past summer. “In the end, swifter than I believed likely, it transpired in America.”

Each day begins with fresh terrors. And it is hard to comprehend – and painful to realize – how deeply lost we have become, and the rapid pace with which it occurred.

Nevertheless, we know that the president was legitimately chosen. Despite his profoundly alarming initial presidency and following the alerts that came with the knowledge of the rightwing blueprint – despite the leader directly stated openly he planned to be a dictator just on day one – sufficient voters elected him instead of Kamala Harris.

As terrifying as today's circumstances are, it's more frightening to realize that we have only been several months into this administration. What will another 36 months of this downfall find us? And what if the three years transforms into a more extended duration, because there is nobody to limit this leader from opting that a third term is essential, perhaps for national security reasons?

Admittedly, there is still hope. There are congressional elections next year that may establish an alternate balance of power, should Democrats recapture either chamber of the legislature. There exist public servants who are trying to impose some accountability, for example representatives who are starting a probe regarding the effort to fund seizure by federal prosecutors.

And a leadership election in 2028 could begin the path to healing precisely as the previous vote put us on this disappointing trajectory.

We see numerous residents marching in the streets throughout communities, like they performed recently at democracy demonstrations.

A former official, wrote recently that “the dormant powerhouse of America is stirring”, similar to past following the Red Scare in the 1950s or throughout the Vietnam war protests or throughout the seventies crisis.

In those instances, the listing ship finally returned to balance.

Reich says he understands the indicators of that revival and sees it happening currently. For proof, he references the recent massive protests, the broad, cross-party resistance to a television host's removal and the near-unanimous rejection by reporters to accept government requirements they solely cover authorized information.

“The sleeping giant perpetually exists dormant till specific greed grows too toxic, an specific act so contemptuous of the common good, some brutality so loud, 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.

Meanwhile, the big questions persist: is the US able to return to normalcy? Can it reclaim its status globally and its adherence to legal principles?

Or should we recognize that the 250-year-old experiment worked for a while, and then – abruptly, completely – collapsed?

My cynical mind suggests that the final scenario is accurate; that everything might be gone. My positive feelings, however, advises me that we must try, in whatever ways available.

For me, as a media critic, that means pushing media professionals to live up, more completely, to their purpose of overseeing leadership. For others, it might involve engaging with election efforts, or organizing rallies, or developing approaches to defend ballot privileges.

Less than a year ago, we were in a separate situation. Twelve months later? Or three years from now? The reality is, we cannot predict. Our sole course is to attempt to persevere.

What Offers Me Encouragement Today

The interaction I experience with students with young journalists, who are equally idealistic and grounded, {always