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In late October 2024, the environment was utterly different. Before the US presidential election, thoughtful Americans could acknowledge the nation's significant faults – its inequities and inequality – however they could still perceive it as the US. A democratic nation. A place where the rule of law held significance. A nation led by a respectable and ethical public servant, notwithstanding his advanced age and increasing frailty.

These days, as October 2025 ends, countless Americans scarcely know the country we live in. Persons suspected of being unauthorized foreigners are detained and pushed into vehicles, sometimes denied due process. The left side of the White House – is undergoing demolition to build a lavish ballroom. Donald Trump is targeting his adversaries or supposed enemies and requesting the justice department transfer an enormous amount of public funds. Soldiers with weapons are dispatched into American cities on false pretexts. The military command, rebranded the War Department, has – in effect – liberated itself of routine media oversight while it uses what could amount to almost one trillion dollars in public funds. Institutions, legal practices, journalism organizations are buckling from leader's menaces, and billionaires are treated like nobility.

“America, only a few months ahead of its quarter-millennium anniversary as the planet's foremost free society, has crossed the limit toward dictatorship and totalitarianism,” Garrett Graff, commented this past summer. “Finally, more quickly than I thought feasible, it transpired in America.”

Each day begins with fresh terrors. It is difficult to grasp – and agonizing to acknowledge – just how far gone we are, and the rapid pace with which it has happened.

Yet, we know that the president was properly voted in. Despite his deeply disturbing previous administration and following the alerts associated with the knowledge of the conservative plan – even after the president personally stated openly he would be a dictator only on the first day – enough Americans selected him instead of his Democratic opponent.

While alarming as the current reality is, it's more frightening to recognize that we’re only three-quarters of a year into this administration. What will three more years of this downfall position us? And what if the three years transforms into a more extended duration, as there is nobody to limit this ruler from determining that a third term is required, possibly for defense purposes?

Certainly, there is still hope. There will be congressional elections in 2026 which might create a new governmental control, if Democrats recapture one or both houses of parliament. There exist public servants who are attempting to impose certain responsibility, for example lawmakers that are initiating an inquiry regarding the effort to money grab from the justice department.

And a presidential election in the next cycle could begin our journey to healing exactly as the prior selection placed us on this regrettable path.

There exist millions of Americans marching in public spaces throughout communities, like they performed recently in the No Kings rallies.

A former official, stated lately that “the dormant powerhouse of the nation is rising”, just as it did after the Communist witch-hunt era in that decade or amid the sixties activism or throughout the Watergate scandal.

In those instances, the tilting vessel eventually was righted.

He claims he recognizes the indicators of that revival and notices it unfolding at present. For proof, he cites the widespread marches, the widespread, multi-faction opposition regarding a personality's dismissal and the largely united refusal by journalists to sign government requirements they report only what is sanctioned.

“The sleeping giant always remains asleep before some venality turns extremely harmful, a particular deed so contemptuous of the common good, certain violence so loud, that the giant has no choice except to rise.”

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

In the meantime, the crucial issues persist: can America ever recover? Can it retrieve its position globally and its devotion to the rule of law?

Or should we recognize that the 250-year-old experiment worked for a while, and then – suddenly, utterly – failed?

My negative thoughts indicates that the second option is true; that all may indeed be lost. My optimistic spirit, nevertheless, tells me that we have to attempt, through all methods available.

In my case, as an observer of the press, that means pushing media professionals to commit, more completely, to their duty of scrutinizing authority. For different individuals, it may be engaging with political races, or coordinating protests, or finding ways to protect electoral access.

Less than a year ago, we existed in a separate situation. In the future? Or in several years? The fact is, we are uncertain. The only option is try to persevere.

What Offers Me Optimism Currently

The engagement I have during teaching with aspiring reporters, who are equally idealistic and practical, {always