The Heartbreaking Change Just One Year Has Brought in the US
One year ago, the environment was utterly distinct. Ahead of the US presidential election, thoughtful residents could acknowledge the nation's deep flaws – its unfairness and inequality – but they could still identify it as the United States. A free society. A place where the rule of law carried weight. A country headed by a respectable and decent official, despite his advanced age and growing weakness.
These days, this autumn, many of us scarcely know the nation we inhabit. Individuals alleged as undocumented migrants are detained and shoved into vehicles, occasionally refused legal rights. The eastern section of the “people’s house” – is being destroyed for an obscene ballroom. The leader is targeting his political rivals or supposed enemies and insisting federal prosecutors surrender a massive sum of citizen dollars. Armed military personnel are deployed across metropolitan centers with deceptive justifications. The defense headquarters, rebranded the War Department, has practically liberated itself of day-to-day journalistic scrutiny during its expenditure of what could amount to close to a trillion USD of taxpayer money. Universities, law firms, media outlets are buckling under the president’s threats, and rich magnates are treated like nobility.
“America, only a few months ahead of its quarter-millennium anniversary as the world’s leading democracy, has fallen over the edge into autocracy and totalitarianism,” an American historian, wrote this past summer. “In the end, swifter than I imagined possible, it transpired in this country.”
Every morning starts with fresh terrors. And it's hard to comprehend – and distressing to accept – just how far gone we are, and the rapid pace with which it unfolded.
Yet, it is known that Trump was legitimately chosen. Following his deeply disturbing first term and following the cautions linked to the understanding of Project 2025 – even after the president personally declared plainly he intended to be a dictator only on the first day – enough Americans chose him over Kamala Harris.
While alarming as the present situation is, it's more daunting to recognize that we have only been several months into this presidential term. Where will another 36 months of this decline leave us? And suppose that timeframe transforms into an prolonged era, since there is no one to restrain this leader from determining that a third term is required, perhaps for national security reasons?
Admittedly, there is still hope. There will be congressional elections in 2026 that could establish an alternate governmental control, if Democrats regain either chamber of Congress. There exist elected officials who are attempting to impose certain responsibility, for example representatives currently starting a probe concerning the try to fund seizure from the justice department.
And a presidential election three years from now could begin the path toward restoration precisely as last year’s election put us on this unfortunate course.
There are countless citizens protesting in the streets of their cities, similar to recent recently in the No Kings rallies.
A former official, wrote recently that “the great sleeping giant of America is rising”, exactly as before following the Red Scare in the 1950s or amid the Vietnam war protests or in the Nixon controversy.
In those instances, the tilting vessel finally returned to balance.
Reich says he recognizes the indicators of that revival and sees it happening at present. For proof, he cites the large-scale demonstrations, the widespread, multi-faction opposition regarding a broadcaster's firing and the almost universal rejection by reporters to agree to the defense department’s demands they solely cover what is sanctioned.
“The dormant force always remains dormant until certain corruption becomes so noxious, some action so disrespectful toward public welfare, specific cruelty so noisy, that he is forced other than to stir.”
It's a positive outlook, and I respect Reich’s experienced view. Possibly he may be validated.
At the same time, the big questions remain: can America return to normalcy? Can it reclaim its status internationally and its adherence to constitutional order?
Or should we recognize that the 250-year-old experiment succeeded temporarily, and then – abruptly, completely – collapsed?
My pessimistic brain suggests that the second option is true; that all may indeed be gone. My hopeful heart, however, convinces me that we have to attempt, by any means possible.
In my case, working in journalism analysis, that involves encouraging reporters to live up, more fully, to their duty of holding power to account. For different individuals, it could mean participating in congressional campaigns, or planning demonstrations, or finding ways to protect ballot privileges.
Less than a year ago, we lived in a very different place. A year from now? Or after another term? The reality is, we are uncertain. The only option is try to continue fighting.
What’s Giving Me Encouragement Today
The interaction I experience in the classroom with aspiring reporters, that are simultaneously idealistic and grounded, {always
