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In late October 2024, the landscape was completely different. Before the US presidential election, reflective residents could recognize the nation's serious imperfections – its inequities and inequality – yet they could still perceive it as the United States. A free society. A country where legal governance meant something. A state headed by a dignified and ethical official, notwithstanding his older age and declining health.

Currently, as October 2025 ends, numerous citizens hardly identify the nation we reside in. People suspected of being illegal immigrants are rounded up and shoved into vans, occasionally blocked from fair treatment. The East Wing of the White House – is undergoing demolition for an obscene event space. The president is harassing his political rivals or supposed enemies and requesting the justice department transfer an enormous amount of citizen dollars. Uniformed troops are dispatched into American cities under fabricated reasons. The defense headquarters, relabeled the Defense Ministry, has – in effect – rid itself of regular press examination during its expenditure of possibly reaching almost one trillion dollars of taxpayer money. Colleges, attorney offices, media outlets are yielding under the president’s threats, and billionaires are handled as aristocracy.

“The US, shortly prior to its 250^th birthday as the world’s leading democracy, has fallen over the limit toward dictatorship and totalitarianism,” a noted author, stated this past summer. “Ultimately, swifter than I thought feasible, it did happen here.”

Every morning starts amid recent atrocities. And it's hard to comprehend – and distressing to accept – just how far gone we have become, and the rapid pace with which it occurred.

Yet, it is known that the president was properly voted in. Following his profoundly alarming first term and even after the alerts linked to the understanding of the conservative plan – despite the president personally declared plainly he intended to rule as a tyrant only on the first day – sufficient voters chose him rather than Kamala Harris.

While alarming as the present situation are, it's more frightening to understand that we’re only several months into this administration. What will three more years of this downfall position us? And if that period transforms into a more extended duration, since there is not anyone to limit this leader from determining that a third term is essential, maybe for defense purposes?

Granted, all is not lost. We will have midterm elections in 2026 which might bring a different balance of power, if Democrats recapture either chamber of parliament. There are government representatives who are striving to apply a degree of oversight, such as lawmakers who are starting a probe into the attempted cash appropriation by federal prosecutors.

And a national vote in the next cycle could begin our journey toward restoration just as the prior selection set us on this unfortunate course.

We see numerous residents protesting in public spaces throughout communities, like they performed in the past days during anti-authority protests.

Robert Reich, wrote recently that “the dormant powerhouse of America is rising”, just as it did following the Red Scare during the fifties or throughout the Vietnam war protests or in the Nixon controversy.

During those times, the tilting vessel finally returned to balance.

The author states he recognizes the indicators of that awakening and observes it occurring currently. As evidence, he points to the recent massive protests, the extensive, multi-faction opposition to a television host's removal and the almost universal defiance by media to accept the defense department’s demands they only publish authorized information.

“The sleeping giant perpetually exists dormant till specific greed turns extremely harmful, a particular deed so contemptuous toward public welfare, certain violence so loud, that it is forced but to awaken.”

It’s an optimistic take, and I value the author's seasoned opinion. Possibly he may turn out correct.

In the meantime, the major inquiries persist: can America regain its footing? Is it possible to restore its status globally and its adherence to constitutional order?

Or must we acknowledge that the national endeavor worked for a while, and then – abruptly, completely – collapsed?

My pessimistic brain tells me that the second option is true; that all may indeed be lost. My positive feelings, though, tells me that we need to strive, in whatever ways possible.

Personally, as a media critic, that involves encouraging reporters to adhere, more thoroughly, to their purpose of overseeing leadership. For others, it may be working on political races, or coordinating protests, or finding ways to protect electoral access.

Less than a year ago, we were in an alternate reality. A year from now? Or after another term? The truth is, we cannot predict. The only option is to strive to persevere.

What Provides Me Hope Now

The contact I experience during teaching with new media professionals, who are both hopeful and grounded, {always