Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, co-heads of the newly minted Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), are putting America’s clocks in their crosshairs. Musk called the twice-a-year time changes “annoying,” and Ramaswamy labeled them “inefficient.” Two words: about time.
Finally, someone’s taking on the madness of daylight saving time! Their vision? Ditch the archaic practice and stick with permanent daylight saving time—no more springing forward, no more falling back, and no more fumbling to reset your microwave clock. As Musk put it in a post on X, “Looks like the people want to abolish the annoying time changes!” He’s not wrong. Polls consistently show most Americans are fed up with the twice-yearly clock shuffle.
Yes to permanent Standard Time for circadian health! No to permanent Daylight Saving Time, the forced-early-waking clock! @elonmusk #doge #ditchdst #maha pic.twitter.com/eu0Td1mk4y
— Save Standard Time (@SaveStandard) December 3, 2024
But it’s not just about convenience. The health and societal benefits of ending time changes are compelling. Studies have linked the clock changes to increased heart attacks, strokes, and sleep disorders. And let’s not forget the safety angle. When it gets dark at 5 p.m. every November, it’s not just depressing—it’s dangerous. Statistics show that crime, especially violent crime, spikes after sunset. More daylight in the evenings could mean fewer opportunities for criminals to operate under cover of darkness.
Ramaswamy summed it up nicely: “It’s inefficient & easy to change.” And he’s right. The Department of Government Efficiency could score an easy win by ending a practice that hasn’t made sense since the days of oil lamps and farming schedules. Musk even floated the idea directly to Senator Mike Lee of Utah, who has been a vocal supporter of eliminating daylight saving time.
Of course, the naysayers—let’s call them the clock traditionalists—will argue that daylight saving time was designed to maximize sunlight during work hours. But let’s face it: modern life isn’t governed by the sun anymore. Most of us are staring at screens indoors, regardless of how bright it is outside. Permanent daylight saving time would simply align the clock with how people actually live today.
The real question isn’t whether Musk and Ramaswamy are serious about this idea—it’s why no one has tackled it sooner. If DOGE can pull this off, millions of Americans might finally get to enjoy a simpler, healthier, and safer way to live. Goodbye, groggy mornings and early sunsets. It’s time to bring some sanity back to our clocks.
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