If another country wanted to create Midterm Mischief, I don't suspect it would take much to organize 1,000 poor people simply by feeding and sheltering them for a couple of weeks. Then point them "norté" which would give Trump a target to rail against for the coming elections. For people in small towns in mostly rural states, the image must be horrifying and the more so, because when they look at "city folk" they cannot understand our seeming apathy about the "horde" headed our way. Hordes are very much in the eye of the beholder. If I am from a town with a population of 2,000 or 3,000, and I hear that 1,000 people are headed my way, I'm pretty sure that it would sound like an invasion. As bellweather, the average population density in MS, IA, or KS is about 55 people per square mile. A thousand new people in many areas in those states would completely overwhelm communities and basic services. So, why are city mice less bothered? They're obviously crazy, huh? I live in Metro LA/LB/OC which is one of the most densely populated regions in the country at 7000 people per square mile. (I know it is a lifestyle that many abhor, but 2017 estimates are that 80% of us live in an urban area.) For reference, this is a geographical area that is roughly the size of CN, but with 10 times the population density because three mountain ranges compress our livable area by about 35%). Adding another 1,000 people, give or take, is no big deal as systems are already stressed (and broken in many cases) and it is something to which city dwellers accommodate. Our country cousins have to deal with the need to travel to population centers for advanced medical care and often spend an hour travelling 60 miles to a "good hospital." City peeps spend an hour traveling 10 miles to the "neighborhood hospital." Sadly, we will not be focused on things like improving healthcare or developing the infrastructure or strengthening education. Rather, we will be totally focused on the "hoard" of mostly women and children as they continue their relentless attacks on our border. Immigration and border security are issues for every country on the planet, but it should not even be close to the top the legislative agenda. If we cannot elevate climate change, healthcare, and education to the top of our priorities, there won't be a planet of people to worry about.
