another vietnam moment isn't going to happen since americans aren't paying enough attention to have it.

Oh I think they're going to start paying a lot of attention once gas prices hit 10 bucks or so.

it'll hit $10 in the cities where the voting base has already been significantly diminished by our oligarchy and, even when it does, the democrats have already proven themselves to be highly effective at mitigating any leftward shift.

our oligarchy relies on the rural conservative voters and they've been shielded from high gas prices and resource costs before and can again. they will feel it significantly less than anyone left of them and effectively blunt any vietnam moment, if one were to happen.

I don't see how they're going to do that. The oil industry in the US is privately owned and trades on the global market. They're going to sell oil at the market rates regardless of whether it's rural or cities. And doing price controls isn't a likely scenario.

it's already a reality and has been for decades. gas costs more in a metro area like san francisco than it does in a rural place nearby like tracy despite being in the same state and only 90 minutes drive away from each other and the official reasons for the price delta don't add up and can never be verified because significant portions of it are proprietary and during times of crisis, the price delta increases.

I realize it costs more in cities, but what I'm saying is that the low end is going to be so high that it stops being affordable in rural areas as well. The difference now is that there's a physical shortage, and that's a very different scenario. And the effects are already starting to appear. https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/us-diesel-crack-surpasses-100-barrel-first-time-supply-disruptions-2026-08-17/

Diesel is critical because it's used in tractors, trucks, and all kinds of heavy machinery. If diesel shortages are starting, that means price for everything is going to go up as a result.