I grew up in Arizona, the only state in the Union that does not (or did not -- I'm not sure their current status) go on Daylight Savings Time. Then, my sophomore year of high school, our family moved to the one section of Indiana that did not go on Daylight Savings Time.
So my first experience with this phenomenon occurred in college. At the time I remember thinking it was a stupid idea, but over time, that attitude has evolved into a White-Hot Hate that I can barely contain in April and October.
The truth is that DST is not about saving energy. Study after study has failed to show any energy savings, especially now that we have computers, televisions, internet, electric telephones, cable modems that are always on, and at least two cars per family.
The people who love DST are in retail and in outdoor-related businesses. When people have more daylight after work, they go shopping or golfing or to the park (oh and by the way... they DRIVE THEIR CARS), and they pour money into the economy.
So let's be honest. Quit feeding us a line about energy savings and talk about stimulating the economy. Or about lining the pockets of candy makers everywhere (who were one of the most vigorous promoters of this year's DST experiment, delaying our return to "standard" time (is it still standard if we're only on it 4 months of the year????) until after Halloween trick or treat.
I am trying not to completely despair. I learned this week that Congress did supposedly write into this year's experiment a clause that says if they cannot prove any energy savings (which they can't) from the change, they will return us all to the previous schedule.
I'm trying not to listen to the cynical voice in my head that whispers "As if" while Laughing. Hysterically.
