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Twelve months back, the environment was utterly distinct. Prior to the American presidential vote, thoughtful residents could admit America's deep flaws – its inequities and disparity – however they still could see it as the US. A free society. A place where legal governance carried weight. A nation headed by a honorable and ethical official, despite his advanced age and growing weakness.

These days, this autumn, countless Americans scarcely know the country we live in. People believed to be undocumented migrants are detained and forced into vans, sometimes denied due process. The left side of the White House – is undergoing demolition to build a lavish event space. The leader is targeting his opponents or supposed enemies and demanding federal prosecutors surrender a massive sum of taxpayer money. Soldiers with weapons are being sent to US urban areas under fabricated reasons. The military command, renamed the War Department, has practically freed itself of day-to-day journalistic scrutiny as it spends potentially totaling almost one trillion dollars from citizen taxes. Colleges, legal practices, news companies are buckling under the president’s threats, and rich magnates are treated like members of the royal family.

“America, only a few months ahead of its 250^th birthday as the globe's top democratic nation, has crossed the brink into authoritarianism and totalitarianism,” a noted author, stated recently. “In the end, swifter than I believed likely, it transpired in this country.”

One awakes with fresh terrors. It is hard to comprehend – and painful to realize – how severely declined our nation is, and the rapid pace with which it has happened.

Yet, it is known that the president was legitimately chosen. Following his deeply disturbing previous administration and following the warnings associated with the understanding of the rightwing blueprint – following Trump himself said publicly he intended to rule as a tyrant only on the first day – sufficient voters chose him over his Democratic opponent.

While alarming as today's circumstances are, it's more frightening to understand that we have only been nine months into this administration. Where will three more years of this decline position us? And what if that timeframe becomes something even longer, as there is nobody to limit this leader from opting that additional tenure is necessary, possibly for national security reasons?

Granted, there is still hope. There are midterm elections next year that may bring a different balance of power, if Democrats recapture one or both houses of the legislature. We have government representatives who are striving to impose a degree of oversight, such as representatives currently initiating an inquiry into the attempted money grab by federal prosecutors.

And a national vote in 2028 could initiate our journey toward restoration just as the prior selection placed us on this regrettable path.

There exist numerous residents demonstrating in urban areas throughout communities, similar to recent recently during anti-authority protests.

Robert Reich, wrote recently that “the slumbering force of the US is stirring”, exactly as before after the Communist witch-hunt era during the fifties or amid the sixties activism or throughout the Nixon controversy.

During those times, the tilting vessel eventually was righted.

The author states he recognizes the indicators of that awakening and sees it happening now. As support, he cites the large-scale demonstrations, the extensive, multi-faction opposition regarding a personality's dismissal and the almost universal refusal by journalists to accept government requirements they only publish what is sanctioned.

“The dormant force always remains asleep till some venality becomes so noxious, a particular deed so contemptuous of societal benefit, some brutality so disruptive, that he is compelled other than to stir.”

It's a positive outlook, and I value Reich’s experienced view. Maybe he’ll turn out correct.

At the same time, the crucial issues remain: can America return to normalcy? Can it reclaim its position internationally and its devotion to the rule of law?

Or do we need to admit that the 250-year-old experiment succeeded temporarily, and then – abruptly, completely – collapsed?

My pessimistic brain tells me that the latter is accurate; that all may indeed be finished. My hopeful heart, though, advises me that we need to strive, by any means we can.

In my case, as a media critic, that’s about encouraging reporters to live up, more completely, to their duty of holding power to account. For different individuals, it may be working on political races, or coordinating protests, or finding ways to safeguard electoral access.

Under twelve months back, we lived in an alternate reality. Twelve months later? Or after another term? The truth is, we cannot predict. The only option is to strive to persevere.

What Offers Me Encouragement Today

The engagement I encounter in the classroom with aspiring reporters, who are both hopeful and realistic, {always