The dreaded time has come for Americans to lose one hour of sleep as we “spring forward” to daylight saving time (DST) and move forward our clocks. This adds another nuisance as it is already difficult for Americans to sleep enough with the constant stress of COVID-19, economic woes, and societal unrest throughout the country.
One easy way to improve our sleep is to end this ridiculous ritual, which creates needless headaches and causes the unnecessary aggravation of changing our clocks twice a year. It may have been a good idea when it was implemented in 1918; however, over one century later, it has lost its usefulness.
In November, it will be time to “fall back” an hour to standard time. All this clock changing leads to increased accidents, a higher incidence of heart attacks, a loss of productivity and a pointless confusion for the American people.
Fifteen states have enacted laws to adopt DST throughout the year. In 2018, 62 percent of California voters voted to make DST permanent year-round. Unfortunately, their state legislature has not approved a measure. This highlights a familiar problem, just because voters want something to happen does mean that politicians will act.
None of the state laws can be implemented until triggered by federal legislation. Fortunately, there is finally some hope there will be action by congress. A bipartisan group of eight U.S. Senators have introduced the “Sunshine Protection Act of 2021.” This legislation will end the twice-yearly clock changing practices and make DST permanent.
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Hopefully, our federal lawmakers will listen to a growing number of people across the country who want to stop the madness. In a 2019 survey, conducted by the Associated Press and NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, 70 percent of respondents want to end the practice of having to change their clocks twice a year.
This opinion is shared by Donald Trump Jr., who tweeted “Yes. Daylight savings time all the time!” U.S. Senator Marco Rubio, one of the sponsors of the “Sunshine Protection Act,” complained that “I prefer Daylight Savings over Standard but in the end what I really want is to end this stupid twice a year time shift.”
Senator Rubio is right, the time shift is “stupid” and needs to end. In Louisiana, legislation was introduced by State Representative Dodie Horton (R-Haughton) last year because of the demands of her constituents. According to Horton, with DST throughout the year, “productivity is a lot higher, and possibly less crime, fewer car accidents, more family time.” Due to the work of Horton and other legislators, her bill was passed by the state legislature in 2020 and signed into law by Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards.
Legislators from Louisiana and fourteen other states understand the significant economic benefits of making DST permanent. This view is shared by many of the nation’s top business advisers, including Baron Christopher Hanson of RedBaron Consulting. He noted that “Extended daylight hours allow outdoor restaurants, golf courses, parks, and patio or rooftop bars to see sunsets well past happy hour and into dinner time, as opposed to forcing everyone into dismal darkness just before standard 5 p.m. business hours come to a close.”
With more sunlight, there are more recreational opportunities which is not only healthy for individuals wanting to exercise, but it is also healthy for many businesses that offer leisure activities.
To promote his legislation, Senator Rubio’s office issued a press release highlighting even more reasons why our country should make DST permanent. The potential positive effects include reducing childhood obesity, benefitting the agricultural economy, and reducing energy usage.
If we allow year-round DST, it will not be a first for the United States. During the WWII years of 1942-1945, we had DST throughout the year. This was also in place in 1974-75. We should have never reverted back to changing our clocks, but we did.
Now, with bipartisan support, we can end the madness. Unlike much of the discussion on Capitol Hill, this issue crosses party lines. U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR), a co-sponsor of the “Sunshine Protection Act,” said that “Springing forward and falling back year after year only creates unnecessary confusion while harming Americans’ health and our economy.”
U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS) is another sponsor of the legislation. She believes our country should make DST permanent because of “The public safety improvements, economic benefits, and the wellbeing of the American people.”
It is now incumbent on the American people to contact their senators and representatives in Washington D.C. and demand support for this legislation. Previous efforts by Rubio and others have failed because similar legislation was not even given a hearing in Congress.
Hopefully, this bill, because of the bipartisan support, will be referred to a Senate committee for a hearing. If it is approved, it will move to the full Senate for a vote and then, if it passes, over to the U.S. House of Representatives, where it should receive overwhelming support. A bill approved by Congress and strongly supported by the American people will almost certainly be signed into law by President Joe Biden.
It is time for common sense to finally prevail and for the “Sunshine Protection Act” to become law in our country. This is a rare issue that can unite an overwhelming majority of Americans, but to succeed, we need to make our voices heard on Capitol Hill.
Jeff Crouere is a native New Orleanian and his award winning program, “Ringside Politics,” airs nationally on Real America’s Voice Network, AmericasVoice.News weekdays at 7 a.m. CT and from 7-11 a.m. weekdays on WGSO 990-AM & Wgso.com. He is a political columnist, the author of America’s Last Chance and provides regular commentaries on the Jeff Crouere YouTube channel and on Crouere.net. For more information, email him at [email protected]
I agree. I like more sunshine later in the day, instead of it getting dark before 5:00 PM In Michigan in the fall and winter!
Now that we are back on “daylight savings time” I also hope this change in time is permanent. Even though the sun comes up earlier when we change back in November, that early sunrise only last a little over a week and then it’s still dark at 6:30am. The thing I’ve always hated is that when it’s dark by 5:00pm it limits how much a person can get done working outside. And with all that darkness, it seems to make the winter longer. I know that even with the daylight savings time the actual AMOUNT of daylight won’t change. But it does help to have the daylight adjusted so a person can advantage of it and get more done in the afternoon. I know there’s the excuse, “we have to adjust the time so the farmers can get their work done.” But realize that in 1918 farmers were using steam engine tractors. Even though there were a few that had the new gas powered tractors there were still some that were using horses. Now farmers are using big diesel tractors, most 4 wheel drive, with a heated/AC cab with stereo and lots of lights pulling equipment that is anywhere from 12 to 24 row. Changing the clocks twice a year has outlived it’s usefulness.
We “Sprung Forward”, now let’s stay that way.
Just put the time back to Std time. If you want to start work an hour early and get off an hour early then that is your prerogative. But stop the clock change is what is most important.
Somehow the democrats will never sign onto this without first adding billions of dollars in pork projects for their districts. It is simply not in their DNA to pass a clean bill like this.
OF course. THAT IS WHY I say, don’t BOTHER WITH THIS NOW> Get the work, of WE THE PEOPLE done..
I’m 72 years old and have never been inconvenienced by DST changes. NEVER! I actually enjoy the changes. I find this entire discussion juvenile and a waste of time. We have a lot more serious things happening to us as a nation that need immediate attention instead of worrying about changing a clock twice a year! That’s hard work!
I’ve known personally, only FOUR FOLK who Do whine about DST changes.. AND TWO OF THose four are that way, cause they are LAZY and forgetful, so often FORGET TO DO IT, no matter HOW MANY times they get reminded..
Most of the rest, are FIRMLY OK with DST…
Buffalodick…..I agree with you entirely…..with all the issues out there to be “tensed up” over, this just ain’t one of them
I don’t know why anyone would disagree with this proposed legislation. It’s not even a political issue. There is no reason to have this idiotic time change twice a year. Why???? I haven’t seen a logical argument from anyone for keeping it. There’s really not any government money involved.
Just do away with DST. I’ve never seen the benefit of having to change time two times a year. If you want more sunshine after work, start earlier, otherwise just deal with it. There are some states that don’t do the time changes and are just fine with that.
One way or the other, just stop this BS. I have no problem with world time, but the false time is better than this silly swapping back and fourth.
Leave it on DST and stop monkeying with it. The more daylight hours in the evening provide much needed outdoor time for work, recreation after work, and a safer drive home. Just leave it this way, why is it so difficult to get a majority of the state legislatures to agree on this and this alone. Our country is doomed against the will of the people, if you didn’t realize that after the light bulb fiasco then you are asleep.
Has there ever been a FULL on, nationwide poll done, to see how many want to get rid of it vs how many are ok with it?? OR are you thinking, cause YOU are ok with it going, Everyone must be.
They have known what this time change does to ppl for years. Lack of sleep, heart attack increases, traffic accident increases, THEY DON’T CARE! This, like all issues that effect the masses, goes back to one thing…..$Money$ with the added benefit of killing off some more of the lowly masses.