Daylight savings time is an unnecessary nuisance. It affects the sleep cycle of millions. It has no purpose in the 21st century. America joined multiple European countries that enacted the system in 1916. The original intent was to conserve fuel during WWI.
A bill has been introduced in the Senate that would stop changing clocks twice each year. Marco Rubio believes that the country should be on daylight savings time all year. Of course, this would greatly benefit wealthy hotel/resort owners in his state of Florida and increase his campaign war chest. In addition, more hours of sunlight greatly benefit the tourist industry.
Many prefer standard time all year. Early risers prefer sunlight early in the morning. However, most people will be happy either way, but they want to end the process of readjusting my life every six months.
Only two states currently refuse to move their clocks forward in March: Hawaii and Arizona. However, 19 states claimed that they would prefer to stay on daylight savings time all year.
“In the last four years, 19 states have enacted legislation or passed resolutions to provide for year-round daylight savings time, if Congress were to allow such a change,” according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.
As of 2019, 29 states now support an end to the time change. The Department of Transportation is in control of the issue, but Congress must act first.
Rubio’s bill is currently stuck in committee, which brings a question that should be answered: “why not poll the people? This decision will affect us, not the government, or don’t we count any longer?”
There is a solid reason for believing that Rubio’s bill will pass in the Senate. In America, it’s always “follow the money.” daylight savings time increases profits for nearly every business and money ‘talks.’
Finally, you know something’s a bad idea when the late-night talk show hosts make jokes about it. Every year they criticize the process.
To have a voice, write local Congressmen and Senators, or call their office and leave an opinion. No one enjoys changing clocks when doing so no longer serves any purpose. Besides, daylight savings time has been extended into November for 15 years. So there are only about four months of standard time today.
Op-ed by James Turnage
Sources:
NPR: Daylight saving time ends Sunday. Here are 4 things you should know; by Bill Chappell
Institute for Dynamic Educational Advancement (IDEA): Daylight Savings Time; Early adoption in law; WebExhibits curated by Michael Douma
Featured and Top Image Courtesy of frankieleon’s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
Inset Image Courtesy of Lara604’s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
