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Twelve months back, the environment was completely different. Ahead of the national election, thoughtful residents could acknowledge the country's deep flaws – its inequities and imbalance – but they continued to see it as America. A democracy. A land where constitutional order meant something. A nation guided by a respectable and decent public servant, notwithstanding his advanced age and increasing frailty.

Currently, in late October 2025, many of us barely recognize the nation we inhabit. People alleged as illegal immigrants are collected and pushed into transport, at times refused legal rights. The East Wing of the “people’s house” – is undergoing demolition for a grotesque dance hall. Donald Trump is targeting his opponents or perceived antagonists and insisting federal prosecutors surrender an enormous amount of public funds. Armed military personnel are deployed to US urban areas on false pretexts. The military command, rebranded the Department of War, has effectively freed itself of routine media oversight while it uses what could amount to close to a trillion USD of taxpayer money. Institutions, legal practices, news companies are submitting under the president’s threats, and billionaires are handled as aristocracy.

“The US, only a few months ahead of its 250-year mark as the planet's foremost free society, has fallen over the brink into authoritarianism and totalitarianism,” an American historian, wrote recently. “In the end, faster than I thought feasible, it transpired in this country.”

Each day begins with fresh terrors. And it's difficult to grasp – and painful to realize – just how far gone our nation is, and the speed at which it has happened.

However, we understand that Trump was duly elected. Despite his highly troubling previous administration and despite the alerts linked to the knowledge of Project 2025 – despite the president personally said publicly he planned to be a dictator solely at the start – sufficient voters chose him instead of Kamala Harris.

As terrifying as the present situation are, it's more daunting to realize that we’re only nine months under this leadership. Where will another 36 months of this downfall find us? And what if that period becomes a more extended duration, as there is nobody to stop this ruler from deciding that another term is essential, possibly for security concerns?

Certainly, there is still hope. We will have midterm elections next year which might establish an alternate balance of power, should Democrats recapture one or both houses of Congress. There exist public servants who are trying to apply some accountability, for example lawmakers currently initiating an inquiry into the attempted money grab from legal authorities.

And a leadership election three years from now could begin the path to healing exactly as last year’s election placed us on this regrettable path.

There exist countless citizens protesting in the streets throughout communities, as they did recently in the No Kings rallies.

Robert Reich, commented this week that “the great sleeping giant of America is rising”, just as it did after the Communist witch-hunt era during the fifties or amid anti-war demonstrations or during the Nixon controversy.

On those occasions, the unstable nation eventually was righted.

The author states he recognizes the indicators of that revival and notices it unfolding now. As evidence, he references the widespread marches, the broad, bipartisan pushback against a television host's removal and the near-unanimous refusal by journalists to sign government requirements they only publish what is sanctioned.

“The sleeping giant perpetually exists asleep before certain corruption turns extremely harmful, a particular deed so contemptuous toward public welfare, specific cruelty so noisy, that he has no choice other than to stir.”

It’s an optimistic take, and I value Reich’s experienced view. Possibly he may be validated.

In the meantime, the crucial issues endure: will the nation return to normalcy? Can it reclaim its position in the world and its adherence to constitutional order?

Or do we need to admit that the national endeavor succeeded temporarily, and then – suddenly, utterly – failed?

My cynical mind suggests that the second option is correct; that everything might be gone. My optimistic spirit, nevertheless, convinces me that we have to attempt, by any means possible.

For me, as a media critic, that means urging journalists to live up, more completely, to their purpose of overseeing leadership. For some people, it could mean working on congressional campaigns, or coordinating protests, or discovering methods to safeguard electoral access.

Under twelve months back, we lived in a very different place. Twelve months later? Or three years from now? The fact is, we don’t know. Our sole course is try to not give up.

What Offers Me Optimism Currently

The contact I have during teaching with new media professionals, who are equally visionary and grounded, {always