A Tragic Change Just One Year Has Made in the US
In late October 2024, the situation was entirely distinct. Before the American presidential vote, reflective Americans could admit the nation's serious imperfections – its injustices and imbalance – but they continued to identify it as the United States. A free society. A place where constitutional order meant something. A country led by a honorable and decent leader, notwithstanding his older age and growing weakness.
Currently, in late October 2025, many of us hardly identify the country we live in. People alleged as illegal immigrants are detained and shoved into vans, at times denied due process. The left side of the “people’s house” – is being torn down for an obscene dance hall. The leader is harassing his political rivals or alleged foes and demanding federal prosecutors transfer a massive sum of public funds. Armed military personnel are dispatched across metropolitan centers with deceptive justifications. The Pentagon, renamed the Department of War, has effectively freed itself of regular press examination during its expenditure of possibly reaching almost one trillion dollars from citizen taxes. Colleges, legal practices, journalism organizations are submitting from leader's menaces, and billionaires are handled as members of the royal family.
“The United States, just months before its 250-year mark as the globe's top democratic nation, has crossed the brink toward dictatorship and fascism,” Garrett Graff, stated this past summer. “Finally, more quickly than I believed likely, it did happen in America.”
One awakes amid recent atrocities. It is challenging to understand – and distressing to accept – how deeply lost we are, and the rapid pace with which it occurred.
However, we know that the president was legitimately chosen. Following his highly troubling first term and despite the warnings that came with the understanding of the rightwing blueprint – following the president personally stated openly he planned to act as an autocrat only on the first day – enough Americans chose him instead of the other candidate.
While alarming as today's circumstances is, it's more frightening to understand that we have only been nine months into this administration. Where will three more years of this decline leave us? And if that period transforms into a more extended duration, since there is not anyone to stop this leader from opting that another term is essential, maybe for defense purposes?
Granted, there is still hope. There will be legislative votes in 2026 which might bring a different balance of power, in case Democrats regain either chamber of Congress. There exist government representatives who are striving to exert a degree of oversight, such as representatives that are launching an investigation concerning the try to fund seizure by federal prosecutors.
And a national vote in 2028 could begin our journey toward restoration precisely as the prior selection placed us on this regrettable path.
We see millions of Americans demonstrating in urban areas throughout communities, as they did last weekend at democracy demonstrations.
Robert Reich, stated lately that “the slumbering force of the nation is rising”, similar to past following the Red Scare during the fifties or during anti-war demonstrations or in the Watergate scandal.
On those occasions, the unstable nation finally returned to balance.
He claims he recognizes the signs of that revival and observes it occurring at present. For proof, he references the recent massive protests, the extensive, cross-party resistance to a broadcaster's firing and the largely united refusal by journalists to sign government requirements they report only what is sanctioned.
“The slumbering entity consistently stays inactive till certain corruption turns extremely harmful, some action so offensive toward public welfare, some brutality so noisy, that he is compelled other than to stir.”
It’s an optimistic take, and I appreciate Reich’s experienced view. Maybe he’ll prove to be right.
Meanwhile, the crucial issues remain: can America ever recover? Can it reclaim its status internationally and its commitment to constitutional order?
Or do we need to admit that the historical project worked for a while, and then – suddenly, utterly – failed?
My negative thoughts suggests that the final scenario is true; that everything might be gone. My hopeful heart, though, advises me that we have to attempt, by any means we can.
In my case, working in journalism analysis, that involves encouraging reporters to adhere, more thoroughly, to their purpose of scrutinizing authority. For different individuals, it could mean participating in political races, or organizing rallies, or developing approaches to safeguard ballot privileges.
Less than a year ago, we were in a separate situation. Twelve months later? Or in several years? The truth is, we are uncertain. All we can do is to strive to not give up.
What Offers Me Encouragement Today
The contact I encounter in the classroom with new media professionals, who are equally idealistic and practical, {always
