Let’s see how Donald Trump tries to spin these numbers: Fully half of this country now thinks that Trump’s Presidential campaign has fascist overtones, according to a new survey released by HuffPost/YouGov. Only 30 percent say it does not reek of fascism.

While you might be tempted to think this sentiment is mainly held by Democrats, the just-released poll also indicates that 45 percent of independents also say Trump’s campaign has echoes of fascism, as do a full 28 percent Republicans who were questioned on the matter....

It should give all of us pause when we see the results of this poll. Has this country ever been closer to embracing and celebrating fascism than it is at this very moment? Some may try to compare 2016 to 1964, when Barry Goldwater was running for the Republicans. Goldwater never had any chance of winning anything other than moral victories. Lyndon Johnson was reelected in 1964 by a historic margin.

It remains too early to write the final chapter on 2016, but clearly, large numbers of Americans can see the ominous clouds being brought about with the rise of Donald Trump.