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One year ago, the landscape was completely separate. Prior to the national election, reflective residents could admit America's deep flaws – its injustices and disparity – but they still could perceive it as the US. A democracy. A country where constitutional order held significance. A state guided by a respectable and decent public servant, even with his advanced age and growing weakness.

These days, this autumn, many of us hardly identify the country we reside in. Persons alleged as unauthorized foreigners are collected and pushed into vans, at times denied due process. The left side of the presidential residence – is being torn down for a grotesque ballroom. Donald Trump is harassing his opponents or supposed enemies and requesting federal prosecutors hand over a massive sum of citizen dollars. Uniformed troops are being sent to US urban areas under fabricated reasons. The defense headquarters, relabeled the Defense Ministry, has – in effect – freed itself of regular press examination during its expenditure of potentially totaling nearly $1tn of taxpayer money. Universities, law firms, media outlets are submitting under the president’s threats, and rich magnates are handled as nobility.

“The US, just months before its quarter-millennium anniversary as the globe's top democratic nation, has fallen over the limit into authoritarianism and fascism,” an American historian, stated this past summer. “Finally, more quickly than I believed likely, it transpired here.”

Each day begins with fresh terrors. And it is hard to comprehend – and distressing to accept – how deeply lost we are, and the speed at which it unfolded.

Nevertheless, we understand that the leader was duly elected. Even after his highly troubling first term and despite the warnings linked to the understanding of the rightwing blueprint – following the president personally stated openly he intended to rule as a tyrant solely at the start – a majority of citizens elected him instead of the other candidate.

While alarming as the present situation is, it's more daunting to realize that we are just three-quarters of a year under this leadership. How will an additional three years of this deterioration leave us? And what if that timeframe turns into a more extended duration, as there is not anyone to limit this ruler from deciding that a third term is essential, perhaps for security concerns?

Certainly, all is not lost. There will be congressional elections next year which might bring a different political equilibrium, should Democrats recapture the Senate or House of the legislature. There exist public servants who are trying to exert some accountability, such as lawmakers who are initiating an inquiry concerning the try to cash appropriation from the justice department.

And a presidential election in the next cycle could begin our journey to recovery exactly as the previous vote placed us on this disappointing trajectory.

We see numerous residents protesting in public spaces throughout communities, as they did recently in the No Kings rallies.

An ex-cabinet member, commented this week that “the great sleeping giant of the US is stirring”, exactly as before after the Communist witch-hunt era in that decade or during anti-war demonstrations or during the Nixon controversy.

In those instances, the tilting vessel eventually was righted.

The author states he recognizes the indicators of that awakening and notices it unfolding at present. As evidence, he points to the widespread marches, the extensive, multi-faction opposition against a personality's dismissal and the almost universal rejection by reporters to accept government requirements they report only what is sanctioned.

“The dormant force always remains dormant before certain corruption turns extremely harmful, a particular deed so contemptuous of the common good, some brutality so disruptive, that it is forced except to rise.”

It’s an optimistic take, and I respect Reich’s experienced view. Maybe he’ll turn out correct.

In the meantime, the crucial issues remain: can America return to normalcy? Can it retrieve its status internationally and its commitment to the rule of law?

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

My negative thoughts suggests that the latter is accurate; that everything could be finished. My hopeful heart, however, tells me that we need to strive, in whatever ways available.

In my case, working in journalism analysis, that involves encouraging reporters to live up, more fully, to their purpose of scrutinizing authority. For different individuals, it could mean participating in political races, or coordinating protests, or finding ways to defend voting rights.

Less than a year ago, we lived in an alternate reality. In the future? Or in several years? The fact is, we are uncertain. The only option is try to continue fighting.

What’s Giving Me Hope Now

The interaction I have with students with aspiring reporters, who are equally hopeful and practical, {always