As we contemplate the upcoming election, the word that occurs is “dread” — not a good way to be approaching decisions that will shape our lives for years to come.

The American economy has proven surprisingly resilient, post-pandemic — better off that those of others nations in Europe and Asia. Inflation remains high, but the problem seems manageable, and there’s reasonable hope things will return to “normal,” if that term still applies.

I wish I could say the same for outlooks on the election. We’ve endured a traumatic time of disease and heartbreaking loss, matched by rule-breaking and law-breaking on an almost unprecedented scale.

Even now, Jan. 6 defendants are pleading guilty and being tried for “seditious conspiracy ” — a crime dating to the post-Civil War period when ex-Confederates tried to reinstate slavery through guerilla tactics: re-fighting a war they’d already lost.

The most recent use of the law was in convicting Omar Abdel-Rahman, the “blind sheik” who masterminded New York’s 1993 World Trade Center bombing. Now, charges are being lodged against Americans.

But instead of observing what we can see with our own eyes, and thinking about it, we’re hearing a daily drumbeat returning to the original script: Republicans will take over Congress after Nov. 8.

You’d never know that a majority of this party’s nominees have already said they’ll accept election results only if they win, following the line laid down by their former leader. If Democrats win, in their view, the election was stolen, by definition.

Meanwhile, GOP Leader Kevin McCarthy — the current political figure least in touch with truth, except perhaps the former president — is not only measuring for drapes in the House Speaker’s office, but has the moving truck and furniture all set to go.

There’s wall-to-wall coverage of McCarthy’s choices for caucus leaders and committee chairs — if he’s actually dark enough for partisans in his caucus who could be joining: the election deniers.

We hear nothing about Hakeem Jeffries, Nancy Pelosi’s likely successor and an equally plausible Speaker, the only House Democratic leader not in his or her 80s. And yes, you heard that right: Pelosi, though running for reelection, will turn over the speaker’s gavel — peacefully, and without fuss: a rare occurrence.

This was much on my mind after I answered a call from a campaign volunteer, obviously discouraged, whose candidate wasn’t getting the support she’d expected.

The polls were what was on her mind. Ah, the polls — so let’s say it one more time: The only poll that counts is the one on Election Day.

Are the polls right? There’s no way of knowing, and it doesn’t matter. While dominating news coverage, they have nothing to do with actual choices, which requires each voter to act as if the fate of the Republic really is in their hands.

That’s the only way democracy survives the powerful forces arrayed against it. It’s no different now than in 1861, or (for Americans) in 1917 or 1941; this is our moment of truth.

I wish I’d had better answers for the volunteer, and I’ll attempt to provide some now.

To start: Which issue is most important to you?

If it’s the economy, and inflation matters to you more than the full employment we’re currently enjoying, ask what the plan is for getting it under control that’s different from the one President Biden has? Is there a Republican plan, or just a campaign mantra?

If, after the Dobbs decision, it’s abortion, look at how the two parties have responded. In one case, several GOP legislatures have accepted the Supreme Court’s invitation by passing laws banning abortion in almost all circumstances — a position held by a vanishingly small number of Americans.

Such laws, inevitably, make women second-class citizens, commanded by the state to bear children whether they want to or not.

If you were distraught by the deaths and devastation caused by Hurricane Ian, and all its predecessors and likely successors, consider what the two parties want to do about it.

For one, the economic interests of fossil fuel production are all-important, and their representatives fight tooth and nail to increase drilling and keep refineries humming.

We know where this will lead, as increasingly Biblical fires, floods and storms pummel the landscape occupied by humans, and all creatures that depend on our using common sense.

The other party, though tentatively, is trying to devise and implement policies mitigating global warming, and possibly staving off disaster.

So when you vote, ignore the static, the ads, the shouting, and — sorry to say — the lies. If we can do that, taking a hard look at the future, all will yet be well.

Douglas Rooks, a Maine editor, commentator and reporter since 1984, is the author of three books, and is now researching the life and career of a U.S. chief justice. He welcomes comment at: drooks@tds.net