19 states have “no more changing the clocks” laws passed, but aren’t allowed to do so without approval of the federal government?
It’s pretty obvious you can just do what you want these days, consequences are trivial to non-existent, so why don’t we just not change our clocks? (or change them and not change them back, whatever floats your boat)
From the same article:
To further clarify, these states CAN ignore the federal DST and continue on with standard time, because that is legal under federal law.
They are not permitted to choose permanent DST or other types of non-standard time bc that is against federal law.
I don’t even care which they choose at this point, ST or DT.
Permanent DST was enacted, federally, in December 1973. It was so unpopular that it was repealed less than a year later.
I know. I remember because I was a school kid at the time. A couple of kids got hit by a car and it was a big story that kids shouldn’t be walking to school in the dark, so people turned against the idea. Yes it’s true–most kids walked to school back then. :) I think very few do any more, so I doubt that would be such a big point of contention these days.
Also they didn’t change them at the normal time in the fall when people were used to it, they suddenly changed them in the middle of winter so the change from light to dark in the mornings was more dramatic. The problem is that days are just short in the winter and in the northern states even changing the clock back to ST doesn’t magically make it light in the mornings.
I think you’re right that staying on standard time would be a little bit better than staying on daylight time (for that reason), but again I don’t care which one they choose and some of us think the best compromise would be to change the clocks by only half an hour and leave them there.
So what? Not changing clocks is the bigger issue, and I’m someone that very much prefers DST through the winter, as it gives me more sunlight after the typical work day.
But I’d settle for a single, non-switching time.
Plus I’m sure if a state decided to go permanent DST, the Fed would have a hard time forcing the issue, as suddenly the Interstate clause would get challenged in the Supreme Court, and the Fed wants to avoid that at all costs.
The rub is which to go with. Some people want the extra hour of daylight after work in the winter. Others want it in the summer because it will maximize their after-hours sunlight in the season when being outside is more realistic.
The reasonable position I take is that, if you inflict a Spring Forward on me, I’m owed a goddamned Fall Back and I’ll go to war with any government who tries to keep that hour indefinitely.
My proposal is to just make them all “fall backs”.
Yeah, AM/PM will get inverted after a few years, but imho, that’s a small price to pay in exchange for an extra hour of sleep twice a year
Throw in another leap day every 12 years and we’ve got a system.
We already tried permanent DST and it didn’t even last through the first full calendar year before being revoked. And while sticking with one time year-round instead of switching, Standard time is healthier than DST:
People want permanent standard time because it’s healthier for us.
Don’t worry, you’ll get your fall back as regularly scheduled. However, when the clock hits midnight we’re immediately jumping ahead an hour again so we permanently land on DST.
I’m just saying that I’m heavily armed even for a Texan. Do with that information what you will.
I’d meet in the middle if we could just be done with it once and for all
This is the solution I mention every year, but so far no one has listened. :) It would solve all the complaints from both sides of which one to choose.
Keep preaching!! How do I get involved??
I dunno, the two of you here are the first ones I’ve seen that have also suggested or like the idea, most people just laugh like it’s a joke.
Maybe try to make a short viral video about the idea to build support?
solves all the complaints I’ve heard about which end of the day the daylight is shifted to, because it meets in the middle like you say.
There are other countries offset by a half hour so it’s not unreasonable in that regard.
It won’t be as hard to adjust to as a full hour and only has to be done one final time.
I agree, let’s all plan on falling back by a half hour this year.
It should be implemented by having the state move time zones and reject DST, but no one wants to frame it like that.