# What happens politically if gas prices go through the roof? **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Tags:** trump, iran-strikes-2026\ **Created:** [March 2, 2026, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-politically-if-gas-prices-go-through-the-roof/1028133 "2026-03-02T14:48:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![wguy123](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wguy123/32/3161_2.png) [@wguy123](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wguy123)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2026, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-politically-if-gas-prices-go-through-the-roof/1028133/101 "2026-03-12T18:17:26Z")
Sadly, good point. ---
**Author:** ![Gorsnak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gorsnak/32/7587_2.png) [@Gorsnak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gorsnak)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2026, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-politically-if-gas-prices-go-through-the-roof/1028133/102 "2026-03-12T18:19:35Z")
> [@Cardigan](#): > > Trump is officially worried enough about the price at the pump and the impacts that’s going to have on voters in several months that he’s opening the taps on the US strategic oil reserves. > > [Trump administration releasing 172 million barrels of oil from strategic reserve as Iran war causes soaring prices - CBS News](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-oil-strategic-petroleum-reserve-iran-war/) For context, under normal circumstances ~20 million barrels of oil transit the Strait of Hormuz daily. So 172M will nominally cover of the Strait being blocked to tanker traffic for about a week. This seems to be a well-thought-out contingency plan for what wasn’t in any way a foreseeable complication of attacking Iran. ---
**Author:** ![Cardigan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cardigan/32/187_2.png) [@Cardigan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardigan)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2026, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-politically-if-gas-prices-go-through-the-roof/1028133/103 "2026-03-12T18:48:21Z")
Good one. 😆 😆 ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2026, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-politically-if-gas-prices-go-through-the-roof/1028133/104 "2026-03-12T19:23:54Z")
This is what I’m hearing a lot in Michigan. Background- as of Jan 1, 2026 the Michigan gas tax went from 31 cents per gallon to 52.4 cents per gallon. In addition, the 6% state sales tax on fuel was eliminated. Let’s say the price per gallon before taxes was $2.00. So the net State fuel tax increase was 21.4 cents per gallon minus (0.06)(2,00) or 12 cents sales tax decrease. Net state tax increase to the consumer would be 9.4 cents per gallon or $1.41 for a 15 gallon tankful. Hardly a big fucking deal. This tax was passed by the Republican state House and the Democratic state Senate and signed by our Democratic governor. Every time the news covers increases in gas prices since Donnie’s Operation Epstein Fury began, the MAGAbots chime in “Well MOST of the increase is due to Shitmer’s tax increase!” My opinion is that MAGA is incapable of connecting any dots that could lead to DJT’s culpability for anything bad happening, it is ALWAYS the fault of Democrats. For non-MAGA Republicans, enough of them may be disgusted enough by the incompetence of the administration that flipping the House is a near certainty and flipping the Senate is an outside chance. This of course leads to the current attempt to suppress the vote as a last resort. I don’t see an end to this clusterfuck any time soon and if gas hits $7.00 or so, the fallout will be immense. Except for MAGA, of course. ---
**Author:** ![Gorsnak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gorsnak/32/7587_2.png) [@Gorsnak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gorsnak)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2026, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-politically-if-gas-prices-go-through-the-roof/1028133/105 "2026-03-12T19:46:53Z")
If my math is correct, that’s actually a tax _decrease_ at prices over $3.56/gal. ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2026, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-politically-if-gas-prices-go-through-the-roof/1028133/106 "2026-03-12T19:52:15Z")
I believe you are correct. It’s a little tough to figure from prices at the pump since I think the sales tax was applied before fed and state fuel taxes were added in, else you’d be paying sales taxes on fuel taxes. But we certainly seem to be getting to the point where the consumer is money ahead with the new tax bill. ---
**Author:** ![Odesio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/odesio/32/20003_2.png) [@Odesio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Odesio)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2026, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-politically-if-gas-prices-go-through-the-roof/1028133/107 "2026-03-12T19:54:29Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#): > > My opinion is that MAGA is incapable of connecting any dots that could lead to DJT’s culpability for anything bad happening, it is ALWAYS the fault of Democrats. They really are. Just a few weeks back I had one of the few political discussions I’ve had with my MAGA mother over the last few years. She lamented the sorry state of education here in Arkansas and without thinking I asked her how she reconciles her concerns with voting for the man trying to dismantle the Department of Education. “The alternative was worse,” was her only reply. I’m flat out convinced a lot of MAGA don’t really understand what they’re voting for. They certainly won’t own their own decisions. At this point, I’m not even sure gas prices are going to be the primary concern of American voters. There’s been so much crap going on that this is just one more problem to deal with. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2026, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-politically-if-gas-prices-go-through-the-roof/1028133/108 "2026-03-14T20:22:36Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#): > > part of the voting public will be upset even by a 30 cent jump CNN reports that the national average price of gas has jumped by more than twice that amount (+0.69) since the war started. As already noted, the ripple effect on transportation costs will be inflationary across the board. ---
**Author:** ![dtilque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d6d6ee/32.png) [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2026, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-politically-if-gas-prices-go-through-the-roof/1028133/109 "2026-03-14T20:35:41Z")
> [@wolfpup](#): > > CNN reports that the national average price of gas has jumped by more than twice that amount (+0.69) since the war started. As already noted, the ripple effect on transportation costs will be inflationary across the board. Diesel prices have gone up even more, something over a dollar/gal. And that fuels inflation even more, since semis use that. BTW Brent is now over $100/barrel. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2026, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-politically-if-gas-prices-go-through-the-roof/1028133/110 "2026-03-14T20:36:46Z")
> [@dtilque](#): > > BTW Brent is now over $100/barrel. Has been for quite a while, going up and down but staying over $100. ---
**Author:** ![dtilque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d6d6ee/32.png) [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2026, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-politically-if-gas-prices-go-through-the-roof/1028133/111 "2026-03-14T20:37:32Z")
> [@wolfpup](#): > > Has been for quite a while, going up and down but staying over $100. A couple days ago, it was below that price. ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2026, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-politically-if-gas-prices-go-through-the-roof/1028133/112 "2026-03-14T20:44:31Z")
> [@dtilque](#): > > BTW Brent is now over $100/barrel. > [@wolfpup](#): > > Has been for quite a while, going up and down but staying over $100. Depends on what you mean by ‘quite a while’. It jumped over $100 on 3/8, then went below that mark late the next day. It’s been hovering around that price ever since. > **[Brent crude oil - Price - Chart - Historical Data - News](https://tradingeconomics.com/commodity/brent-crude-oil)** > > Brent rose to 103.14 USD/Bbl on March 13, 2026, up 2.67% from the previous day. Over the past month, Brent's price has risen 50.16%, and is up 46.13% compared to the same time last year, according to trading on a contract for difference (CFD) that... ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2026, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-politically-if-gas-prices-go-through-the-roof/1028133/113 "2026-03-14T20:49:46Z")
I’ve just been doing spot checks. I must have missed the bit where it fell below $100. I posted that it was $107.20 on March 8. ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2026, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-politically-if-gas-prices-go-through-the-roof/1028133/114 "2026-03-14T21:20:37Z")
> [@wolfpup](#): > > As already noted, the ripple effect on transportation costs will be inflationary across the board. Oh, yes. I just reordered coffee from my regular vendor. The price per pound had already jumped by $2.00, just in the past 2 weeks. That cost is never going away, no matter if gas prices fall. ---
**Author:** ![Odesio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/odesio/32/20003_2.png) [@Odesio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Odesio)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2026, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-politically-if-gas-prices-go-through-the-roof/1028133/115 "2026-03-14T22:55:31Z")
I just paid $3.39 a gallon for regular here in Arkansas. This afternoon my MAGA family started complaining about gas prices. I got shut down pretty quick when I mentioned why gas prices were higher. ---
**Author:** ![wguy123](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wguy123/32/3161_2.png) [@wguy123](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wguy123)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2026, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-politically-if-gas-prices-go-through-the-roof/1028133/116 "2026-03-14T22:58:17Z")
Time to dust off the Joe Biden “I did that” stickers! You know he is somehow going to get blamed. ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2026, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-politically-if-gas-prices-go-through-the-roof/1028133/117 "2026-03-14T23:13:55Z")
> [@Odesio](#): > > I got shut down pretty quick when I mentioned why gas prices were higher. And what creative (bullshit) excuse did they offer instead? ---
**Author:** ![Odesio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/odesio/32/20003_2.png) [@Odesio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Odesio)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2026, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-politically-if-gas-prices-go-through-the-roof/1028133/118 "2026-03-14T23:38:42Z")
> [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > And what creative (bullshit) excuse did they offer instead? No creative bullshit just a refusal to engage and a change in subject. It was probably for the best, we don’t typically discuss politics save for occasions where we accidentally mention them during casual conversations. You can’t tell your mother she knowingly voted for a grifting, venal rapist with a reasonable expectation of keeping the peace. ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2026, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-politically-if-gas-prices-go-through-the-roof/1028133/119 "2026-03-14T23:41:33Z")
Ah yes the old “la la la la la, I can’t heeear you!” ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2026, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-politically-if-gas-prices-go-through-the-roof/1028133/120 "2026-03-17T19:46:09Z")
What I’m still seeing from MAGAssholes is “well, at least they’re not as high as they were under Biden.” I’m expecting the shit to hit the fan when the Biden price ceiling is broken, which could be in the next month. THEN what will the excuse be? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-politically-if-gas-prices-go-through-the-roof/1028133.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-politically-if-gas-prices-go-through-the-roof/1028133.md?page=7)