Donald Trump stumbled into the last debate, wounded and bleeding. It seemed impossible that he could come out in even worse shape. To do that, he had to find a trapdoor into a deeper cellar than the one he had already wandered into. He not only found it, but he promptly jumped in. And whatever chance he had to reset the trajectory of the campaign went with him.

When asked, twice, by moderator Chris Wallace of Fox News, if he would accept the outcome of the election, he refused to answer. Trump will now go down in history as the first major-party presidential candidate who not only proclaimed that the election was “rigged” before it happened, but who also refused to respect the outcome of the election unless he wins.

Most folks would never tolerate their kids talking or acting like that about a ball game or a test at school.

Trump did succeed in one goal, in that debate. He united the country. But the unity was against the nonsense he’s been peddling lately about “rigged” elections. We Americans will acknowledge our many faults, and no party or ideology or system, including our elections, is perfect. But the integrity of our elections has always been a deeply held and nonpartisan American value, and the foundation of our democratic system.

It is a system that has been sustained and nurtured through every challenging period and hard-fought election battle in our 240-year history. And safeguarded by states and courts, towns and cities, patriots and citizens.

The sanctity of our elections is the work of thousands of Americans, here in Maine and across the country, who maintain voter lists; organize them by precinct; check machines and pencils; prepare to greet you on Election Day at the local polling place; and work late into the night carefully counting and recounting ballots.

Many do that work for free or for a small stipend. They do it, mostly, out of a love of our democratic traditions and for the example that America sets for others in the world. They deserve our deepest gratitude.

What they don’t deserve is careless talk by self-serving politicians. Conspiracy fears run amok. The crazy blather of far right-wing radio is brought to the mainstream of the country. All by people who assume the worst in others, state their fears and suspicions as settled facts, and recklessly make sweeping charges, without a shred of evidence, against people who disagree with them.

Donald Trump should apologize to the people who run our elections, but of course he won’t. He never apologizes to anyone because, in his mind, he doesn’t make mistakes, except those that are someone else’s fault.

So let’s apologize on his behalf. When you vote on Nov. 8, take a moment to thank the people who are working at the polls. Congratulate them for getting through another grueling and stressful day.

This election has now become more than a vote for a Democrat or a Republican, as this latest controversy makes clear. It’s an opportunity for America to send a message to Washington and the world. We want change, but not senseless and mean-spirited division. We want energetic debates, but civility. We want to include people rather than exclude them. And we want co-operation to become a strength again, rather than a weakness.

Trump and Clinton have provided us with two starkly different visions of America and our future. Donald Trump offers a relentlessly negative view of an America besieged by forces beyond our control and ruled by stupid and dangerous elites. He offers the appeal of the strong man who promises to “drain the swamp” in Washington, seal the borders, expel 15 million immigrants, corral American businesses so they can’t go overseas, further reduce taxes on the rich and roll back gains for women, minorities, the environment, consumers and workers.

Hillary Clinton offers a more hopeful view of an America on the mend after a Great Recession. She calls for reining in the power of corporate America, raising taxes on those who have gained far more than everyone else in recent years, reinvesting those dollars in education and infrastructure, and continuing progress for women, minorities, gays and lesbians, climate change and working people.

Those who say that there isn’t much difference between the two parties, and that it’s hardly worth voting except as a protest, need to take a harder look at these competing visions. What kind of future we’ll have is on the ballot this year.

Alan Caron is the owner of Caron Communications and the author of “Maine’s Next Economy” and “Reinventing Maine Government.” He can be reached at:

alancaroninmaine@gmail.com