As many people are becoming more productive today than ever before congress is currently looking at ways to help Americans stay more productive and get the job done.
History In The Making
Daylight Savings Time has been around since World War I, when Germany wanted to conserve coal used to fuel light sources, so it mandated changing of the clocks to save daylight productive hours. The idea became very popular internationally, and was quickly adopted by the whole world. Daylight Savings Time was originated as a wartime effort.
USA
Here in the united States, daylight savings time has had mixed reactions, when it was first introduced, it was very popular, because people would wake up really early, and they loved having the natural sunlight to wake them up. After World War I, daylight savings time was abolished, before President Franklin D. Roosevelt reinstated it as another wartime effort in the 1940’s.
The Long Run
Daylight Savings Time saw irregular use, but it was lengthened in the 1970’s during the oil embargo to allow workers in the oil rigs and on the oil fields to stay as productive as possible.
In 2005, congress decided to extend DST from seven months to eight months.
Loss and Gains of Daylight Savings Ending
The pressure of Daylight Savings Time has inconvenienced many Americans since it was passed into law. Very few people enjoy it getting dark outside early in the winter, or losing an hour of sleep in the spring, also, the hard task of setting several clocks and watches back or ahead one hour during the fall and spring seasons.
Both Parties
For a while now, both Republicans and Democrats are in agreement and are looking at ways to make Daylight Savings Time permanent. In 2018, 2019, 2020 & 2021, Florida Republican Senator Marco Rubio introduced a bill called “The Sunshine Protection Act” to make Daylight Savings Time permanent, with no turning back or turning forward of the clock.
It’s All Good
Making DST permanent will also cause great health benefits, there would be less seasonal depression, less risk of strokes, less heart disease, more worker productivity will take place, also, many Americans tend to exercise more during Daylight Savings Time. Research has also shown that fewer car accidents take place during daylight hours, and fewer crimes and robberies occur.
Economy and Energy Benefits
Permanent DST would provide great economic impact and growth. Studies have shown that with standard time, economic activity has declined, making DST permanent would offset this and lead to greater energy savings as well. Daylight Savings Time was also introduced to benefit our country’s farmers, both them and their animals would greatly benefit.
Seeking Approval
So far there are currently Fifteen states that are in favor of making Daylight Savings Time permanent. But, they are powerless until the can receive final approval from the federal government. Until then, both parties along with legislation are anxiously awaiting the hope of daylight at the end of the tunnel.
Written by: Gary Taylor
