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One year ago, the landscape was completely different. Before the national election, reflective citizens could recognize the nation's serious imperfections – its inequities and inequality – however they continued to perceive it as the United States. A democratic nation. A country where constitutional order held significance. A state headed by a honorable and ethical public servant, despite his older age and declining health.

Nowadays, in late October 2025, countless Americans scarcely know the land we inhabit. People believed to be undocumented migrants are rounded up and pushed into transport, occasionally denied due process. The East Wing of the presidential residence – is being destroyed for an obscene event space. Donald Trump is targeting his political rivals or perceived antagonists and requesting legal authorities transfer a massive sum of public funds. Armed military personnel are deployed into American cities on false pretexts. The Pentagon, renamed the War Department, has – in effect – liberated itself of regular press examination during its expenditure of what could amount to almost one trillion dollars in public funds. Institutions, attorney offices, media outlets are submitting under the president’s threats, and wealthy elites are treated like nobility.

“The United States, only a few months ahead of its 250-year mark as the world’s leading democracy, has fallen over the edge toward dictatorship and totalitarianism,” a noted author, wrote in August. “In the end, more quickly than I imagined possible, it occurred in this country.”

One awakes amid recent atrocities. And it's challenging to understand – and distressing to accept – how severely declined we are, and how quickly it has happened.

However, it is known that Trump was properly voted in. Despite his deeply disturbing first term and despite the alerts linked to the knowledge of the rightwing blueprint – despite the leader directly declared plainly he intended to rule as a tyrant solely at the start – sufficient voters chose him instead of the other candidate.

As terrifying as the present situation may be, it's more frightening to recognize that we have only been nine months under this leadership. Where will three more years of this downfall leave us? And suppose the three years becomes a more extended duration, as there is nobody to restrain this leader from determining that another term is necessary, perhaps for national security reasons?

Certainly, all is not lost. There are midterm elections next year that may establish an alternate political equilibrium, if Democrats regain the Senate or House of Congress. There exist elected officials who are trying to exert certain responsibility, for example lawmakers that are starting a probe concerning the try to money grab from the justice department.

And a leadership election three years from now could begin our journey toward restoration precisely as last year’s election put us on this regrettable path.

We see millions of Americans demonstrating in urban areas throughout communities, like they performed recently during anti-authority protests.

An ex-cabinet member, commented this week that “the slumbering force of the US is stirring”, exactly as before following the Red Scare in the 1950s or amid the sixties activism or during the seventies crisis.

During those times, the unstable nation eventually was righted.

The author states he knows the indicators of that revival and notices it unfolding at present. As support, he points to the widespread marches, the broad, cross-party resistance against a broadcaster's firing and the largely united refusal by journalists to agree to government requirements they only publish what is sanctioned.

“The dormant force consistently stays inactive till certain corruption grows too toxic, some action so contemptuous of the common good, specific cruelty so disruptive, that he is compelled but to awaken.”

It's a positive outlook, and I respect the author's seasoned opinion. Possibly he may prove to be right.

In the meantime, the major inquiries persist: will the nation ever recover? Can it reclaim its standing in the world and its adherence to constitutional order?

Or must we acknowledge that the national endeavor worked for a while, and then – suddenly, utterly – failed?

My cynical mind indicates that the second option is true; that all may indeed be lost. My positive feelings, nevertheless, convinces me that we have to attempt, through all methods available.

Personally, as an observer of the press, that means urging journalists to live up, more thoroughly, to their purpose of scrutinizing authority. For some people, it might involve working on political races, or planning demonstrations, or developing approaches to protect voting rights.

Less than a year ago, we existed in a separate situation. A year from now? Or three years from now? The truth is, we are uncertain. The only option is try to continue fighting.

What’s Giving Me Optimism Currently

The engagement I have in the classroom with new media professionals, that are simultaneously hopeful and practical, {always