Part 10/13:
As the situation escalates, gasoline prices are anticipated to keep climbing through the summer. Predictions suggest $6 to $8 per gallon could become commonplace, with some experts foreseeing even higher figures. The result is a regressive tax on ordinary Californians—particularly those on lower incomes—who must spend a larger share of their income just to fuel their vehicles.
Public response ranges from frustration to concern over national security. The state's logistical vulnerabilities threaten military readiness and economic stability, particularly if a crisis arises amid global conflicts.