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In late October 2024, the landscape was entirely different. Before the national election, thoughtful residents could acknowledge America's significant faults – its injustices and inequality – but they still could see it as the United States. A democratic nation. A land where the rule of law meant something. A state led by a dignified and decent leader, even with his older age and declining health.

Nowadays, this autumn, many of us hardly identify the land we reside in. Persons believed to be illegal immigrants are detained and pushed into vans, at times refused legal rights. The eastern section of the presidential residence – is being torn down for an obscene event space. Donald Trump is persecuting his political rivals or perceived antagonists and requesting the justice department surrender a huge total of taxpayer money. Uniformed troops are dispatched across metropolitan centers under fabricated reasons. The military command, relabeled the Defense Ministry, has practically freed itself of day-to-day journalistic scrutiny as it spends potentially totaling nearly $1tn of taxpayer money. Colleges, law firms, media outlets are yielding under the president’s threats, and wealthy elites are treated like members of the royal family.

“The United States, only a few months ahead of its 250^th birthday as the planet's foremost free society, has crossed the limit into autocracy and fascism,” a noted author, wrote recently. “In the end, swifter than I imagined possible, it did happen in this country.”

Each day begins amid recent atrocities. And it is challenging to understand – and distressing to accept – just how far gone we have become, and the speed at which it unfolded.

Yet, it is known that the president was legitimately chosen. Despite his profoundly alarming first term and following the warnings linked to the awareness of the conservative plan – despite the president personally stated openly he intended to be a dictator only on the first day – sufficient voters elected him rather than the other candidate.

As terrifying as today's circumstances may be, it's more daunting to recognize that we’re only nine months into this presidential term. What will an additional three years of this decline leave us? And if the three years becomes an prolonged era, since there is not anyone to stop this president from opting that additional tenure is essential, perhaps for security concerns?

Certainly, all is not lost. There are congressional elections next year which might establish an alternate balance of power, should Democrats regain the Senate or House of the legislature. We have public servants who are attempting to impose some accountability, for example lawmakers who are initiating an inquiry into the attempted fund seizure from the justice department.

And a presidential election three years from now could start our journey to healing precisely as the prior selection set us on this regrettable path.

We see countless citizens marching in public spaces throughout communities, as they did last weekend at democracy demonstrations.

A former official, commented this week that “the slumbering force of the nation is stirring”, just as it did following the Red Scare in the 1950s or throughout anti-war demonstrations or in the Watergate scandal.

During those times, the unstable nation eventually was righted.

Reich says he knows the signals of that resurgence and observes it occurring now. For proof, he references the widespread marches, the extensive, multi-faction opposition against a broadcaster's firing and the near-unanimous refusal by journalists to agree to the defense department’s demands they report only authorized information.

“The sleeping giant perpetually exists inactive before certain corruption becomes so noxious, an specific act so offensive of societal benefit, specific cruelty so noisy, that it has no choice but to awaken.”

It's a hopeful perspective, and I appreciate his knowledgeable stance. Perhaps he will be validated.

In the meantime, the major inquiries persist: can America regain its footing? Can it reclaim its standing in the world and its commitment to the rule of law?

Or do we need to admit that the national endeavor worked for a while, and then – abruptly, completely – collapsed?

My negative thoughts indicates that the final scenario is correct; that everything might be finished. My positive feelings, nevertheless, convinces me that we must try, through all methods possible.

In my case, as a media critic, that involves encouraging reporters to commit, more completely, to their mission of holding power to account. For different individuals, it may be participating in election efforts, or planning demonstrations, or finding ways to safeguard electoral access.

Less than a year ago, we existed in an alternate reality. A year from now? Or after another term? The reality is, we don’t know. Our sole course is to attempt to not give up.

What’s Giving Me Optimism Currently

The interaction I have with students with young journalists, that are simultaneously idealistic and grounded, {always