A Tragic Shift Just One Year Has Caused in the United States
One year ago, the environment was completely distinct. Prior to the national election, thoughtful Americans could recognize the country's deep flaws – its injustices and disparity – but they continued to identify it as the US. A democracy. A country where the rule of law meant something. A country headed by a dignified and upright leader, even with his older age and growing weakness.
These days, this autumn, many of us hardly identify the nation we reside in. People suspected of being illegal immigrants are rounded up and forced into vans, occasionally refused legal rights. The left side of the White House – is being torn down for a grotesque ballroom. The president is persecuting his opponents or perceived antagonists and requesting the justice department hand over an enormous amount of taxpayer money. Soldiers with weapons are being sent across metropolitan centers with deceptive justifications. The Pentagon, renamed the Department of War, has effectively rid itself of routine media oversight during its expenditure of what could amount to nearly $1tn in public funds. Institutions, law firms, media outlets are submitting due to presidential intimidation, and billionaires are treated like nobility.
“America, shortly prior to its 250th birthday as the world’s leading democracy, has tipped over the limit toward dictatorship and totalitarianism,” Garrett Graff, wrote this past summer. “Ultimately, swifter than I thought feasible, it occurred in this country.”
One awakes with fresh terrors. And it is difficult to grasp – and painful to realize – how deeply lost we have become, and the speed at which it occurred.
Yet, we know that the leader was duly elected. Following his profoundly alarming previous administration and following the warnings linked to the understanding of the conservative plan – despite the president personally said publicly he planned to rule as a tyrant just on day one – sufficient voters chose him over his Democratic opponent.
As terrifying as today's circumstances may be, it's more daunting to recognize that we’re only several months into this administration. Where will three more years of this decline leave us? And suppose the three years transforms into a more extended duration, because there is nobody to stop this ruler from opting that another term is required, possibly for defense purposes?
Certainly, not everything is hopeless. There will be congressional elections next year that may establish an alternate governmental control, should Democrats recapture either chamber of parliament. There exist public servants who are trying to apply some accountability, like representatives who are initiating an inquiry regarding the effort to fund seizure from the justice department.
And a leadership election in 2028 could initiate the path toward restoration just as the previous vote put us on this regrettable path.
There are countless citizens demonstrating in the streets throughout communities, like they performed recently at democracy demonstrations.
An ex-cabinet member, wrote recently that “the slumbering force of the nation is stirring”, similar to past following the Red Scare during the fifties or throughout anti-war demonstrations or during the seventies crisis.
On those occasions, the tilting vessel eventually was righted.
Reich says he understands the indicators of that awakening and notices it unfolding currently. As support, he references the large-scale demonstrations, the widespread, cross-party resistance against a television host's removal and the near-unanimous defiance by media to sign the defense department’s demands they report only approved content.
“The slumbering entity consistently stays inactive until specific greed turns extremely harmful, an specific act so contemptuous of societal benefit, specific cruelty so disruptive, that the giant has no choice except to rise.”
It's a positive outlook, and I respect his knowledgeable stance. Perhaps he will turn out correct.
Meanwhile, the crucial issues persist: can America ever recover? Can it reclaim its status internationally and its commitment to the rule of law?
Or should we recognize that the historical project functioned for a period, and then – suddenly, utterly – failed?
My cynical mind suggests that the final scenario is correct; that all may indeed be finished. My positive feelings, though, advises me that we must try, through all methods we can.
In my case, as an observer of the press, that involves pushing media professionals to live up, more completely, to their mission of holding power to account. For different individuals, it might involve engaging with congressional campaigns, or coordinating protests, or discovering methods to protect electoral access.
Less than a year ago, we were in a very different place. A year from now? Or three years from now? The reality is, we cannot predict. Our sole course is try to continue fighting.
What Provides Me Optimism Currently
The contact I experience with students with aspiring reporters, who are equally hopeful and realistic, {always
