In a bold move, Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy are targeting daylight saving time. Musk recently posted a poll on his platform, X, showing widespread opposition to the twice-yearly clock changes. The results reveal a clear majority of users want the practice abolished.
Looks like the people want to abolish the annoying time changes! https://t.co/5ePhgzYLsF
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 27, 2024
Ramaswamy, co-head of the Department of Government Efficiency, doubled down on Musk’s call, labeling time changes “inefficient and easy to fix.” This initiative has sparked public debate and drawn attention to the outdated policy.
Looks like the people want to abolish the annoying time changes! https://t.co/5ePhgzYLsF
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 27, 2024
The renewed push comes after the 2022 Sunshine Protection Act, which aimed to make daylight saving time permanent, failed to pass in the House despite Senate approval. The Department of Transportation oversees the system but requires Congress to authorize changes.
Public opinion strongly favors reform. A 2022 YouGov survey found two-thirds of Americans want to end time changes. The practice has been linked to increased heart attack rates, higher traffic accident numbers, and even reduced consumer spending. JPMorgan Chase reports that switching back to standard time can cut consumer spending by up to 4.9%.
Countries like Mexico, Russia, and Turkey have already ditched the practice, citing its outdated origins. Daylight saving time was initially introduced during World War I to save energy. Modern studies suggest its relevance has long faded.
Experts support the reform, pointing out the widespread disruptions caused by clock changes. Health advocates warn of the dangers posed by disrupted sleep schedules, while economists highlight the financial losses tied to the policy.
Musk and Ramaswamy’s campaign could reshape the conversation around this divisive topic. Whether Congress will act remains to be seen, but the momentum is undeniable.
{{user}} {{datetime}}
{{text}}