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Twelve months back, the landscape was entirely different. Prior to the US presidential election, reflective Americans could recognize the country's deep flaws – its unfairness and disparity – however they could still perceive it as America. A democratic nation. A place where the rule of law carried weight. A country guided by a dignified and upright public servant, notwithstanding his elderly years and growing weakness.

Nowadays, this autumn, countless Americans barely recognize the nation we live in. People suspected of being illegal immigrants are rounded up and shoved into transport, occasionally refused legal rights. The eastern section of the presidential residence – is undergoing demolition for an obscene dance hall. Donald Trump is targeting his adversaries or supposed enemies and requesting federal prosecutors surrender a huge total of citizen dollars. Soldiers with weapons are being sent into American cities on false pretexts. The Pentagon, rebranded the War Department, has – in effect – freed itself of routine media oversight during its expenditure of potentially totaling close to a trillion USD of taxpayer money. Institutions, law firms, news companies are buckling from leader's menaces, and rich magnates are treated like members of the royal family.

“The United States, only a few months ahead of its 250-year mark as the world’s leading democracy, has fallen over the edge into authoritarianism and fascism,” a noted author, wrote in August. “In the end, swifter than I thought feasible, it occurred in this country.”

Every morning starts with fresh terrors. And it is challenging to understand – and agonizing to acknowledge – how severely declined we are, and the rapid pace with which it has happened.

However, we know that the president was duly elected. Following his highly troubling first term and despite the warnings that came with the awareness of the rightwing blueprint – even after the president personally said publicly he would rule as a tyrant only on the first day – sufficient voters chose him instead of the other candidate.

As terrifying as the present situation may be, it’s even scarier to recognize that we are just nine months under this leadership. Where will an additional three years of this downfall leave us? And if that period becomes something even longer, because there is not anyone to restrain this president from determining that additional tenure is essential, maybe for defense purposes?

Certainly, not everything is hopeless. There will be congressional elections the coming year which might bring a different political equilibrium, should Democrats retake either chamber of parliament. There are public servants who are striving to exert a degree of oversight, for example lawmakers who are launching an investigation concerning the try to money grab from legal authorities.

And a leadership election three years from now could begin the path toward restoration precisely as the prior selection set us on this unfortunate course.

There exist countless citizens marching in urban areas of their cities, similar to recent recently at democracy demonstrations.

An ex-cabinet member, stated lately that “the slumbering force of the nation is rising”, just as it did following the Red Scare in the 1950s or throughout the Vietnam war protests or in the Watergate scandal.

On those occasions, the unstable nation ultimately corrected itself.

The author states he understands the signs of that awakening and sees it happening now. As evidence, he points to the widespread marches, the widespread, bipartisan pushback regarding a broadcaster's firing and the almost universal defiance by media to agree to government requirements they solely cover authorized information.

“The dormant force consistently stays inactive before certain corruption becomes so noxious, some action so contemptuous of societal benefit, specific cruelty so disruptive, that it is forced except to rise.”

It’s an optimistic take, and I respect the author's seasoned opinion. Perhaps he will turn out correct.

Meanwhile, the major inquiries persist: can America regain its footing? Can it reclaim its status internationally and its adherence to legal principles?

Or should we recognize that the historical project succeeded temporarily, and then – swiftly, totally – ended?

My pessimistic brain indicates that the final scenario is correct; that all may indeed be finished. My positive feelings, nevertheless, tells me that we must try, by any means available.

For me, working in journalism analysis, that involves encouraging reporters to live up, more thoroughly, to their duty of holding power to account. For others, it may be working on election efforts, or coordinating protests, or finding ways to protect ballot privileges.

Less than a year ago, we lived in a very different place. A year from now? Or in several years? The fact is, we cannot predict. The only option is to strive to continue fighting.

What Provides Me Encouragement Today

The interaction I experience in the classroom with aspiring reporters, that are simultaneously hopeful and grounded, {always