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One year ago, the situation was entirely separate. Ahead of the American presidential vote, thoughtful Americans could recognize the country's deep flaws – its unfairness and inequality – however they continued to perceive it as America. A democracy. A country where the rule of law meant something. A nation led by a dignified and upright official, notwithstanding his advanced age and increasing frailty.

These days, this autumn, countless Americans scarcely know the country we inhabit. Persons believed to be unauthorized foreigners are detained and shoved into transport, sometimes blocked from fair treatment. The eastern section of the presidential residence – is being destroyed to build a lavish event space. The president is targeting his political rivals or supposed enemies and insisting legal authorities transfer an enormous amount of taxpayer money. Soldiers with weapons are being sent into American cities under fabricated reasons. The defense headquarters, renamed the War Department, has effectively liberated itself of routine media oversight while it uses potentially totaling almost one trillion dollars from citizen taxes. Colleges, law firms, media outlets are buckling due to presidential intimidation, and billionaires are handled as aristocracy.

“America, just months before its 250^th birthday as the planet's foremost free society, has tipped over the limit toward dictatorship and extremism,” an American historian, commented in August. “Ultimately, swifter than I thought feasible, it did happen in this country.”

Each day begins with fresh terrors. And it is hard to comprehend – and painful to realize – how deeply lost our nation is, and the rapid pace with which it unfolded.

Yet, it is known that Trump was duly elected. Even after his deeply disturbing first term and following the warnings associated with the understanding of the conservative plan – despite the president personally stated openly he planned to act as an autocrat solely at the start – enough Americans selected him instead of his Democratic opponent.

Frightening as the present situation are, it's more frightening to understand that we are just three-quarters of a year into this administration. How will three more years of this decline find us? And if the three years becomes an prolonged era, as there is nobody to restrain this president from opting that a third term is necessary, perhaps for security concerns?

Certainly, all is not lost. There are congressional elections next year which might establish an alternate balance of power, if Democrats retake either chamber of parliament. We have government representatives who are trying to impose certain responsibility, for example lawmakers that are starting a probe regarding the effort to fund seizure from legal authorities.

And a national vote in the next cycle could initiate our journey toward restoration precisely as the previous vote placed us on this regrettable path.

There are millions of Americans marching in the streets across municipalities, as they did recently in the No Kings rallies.

A former official, stated lately that “the great sleeping giant of the US is rising”, just as it did after the Communist witch-hunt era in the 1950s or during the Vietnam war protests or throughout the seventies crisis.

During those times, the tilting vessel eventually was righted.

The author states he understands the signals of that awakening and observes it occurring at present. As support, he cites the large-scale demonstrations, the broad, cross-party resistance to a broadcaster's firing and the almost universal rejection by reporters to agree to government requirements they only publish authorized information.

“The dormant force consistently stays asleep before some venality turns extremely harmful, some action so contemptuous toward public welfare, some brutality so noisy, that the giant is forced except to rise.”

It's a positive outlook, and I value the author's seasoned opinion. Perhaps he will turn out correct.

Meanwhile, the crucial issues remain: is the US able to regain its footing? Can it retrieve its standing internationally and its commitment to the rule of law?

Or do we need to admit that the national endeavor worked for a while, and then – suddenly, utterly – failed?

My negative thoughts tells me that the final scenario is true; that everything might be finished. My positive feelings, though, convinces me that we must try, in whatever ways available.

Personally, as an observer of the press, that’s about encouraging reporters to adhere, more thoroughly, to their duty of scrutinizing authority. For some people, it could mean engaging with political races, or coordinating protests, or discovering methods to safeguard voting rights.

Not even one year prior, we lived in a separate situation. Twelve months later? Or three years from now? The fact is, we are uncertain. Our sole course is to strive to continue fighting.

What’s Giving Me Hope Now

The engagement I experience during teaching with aspiring reporters, that are simultaneously idealistic and grounded, {always