Look. We don’t make a habit of getting political. But we’ve had enough – and thankfully, our representatives in government from both sides of the aisle agree, too.

What bipartisan topic could possibly bridge the political divide?

Daylight saving. 

And it’s barreling straight toward us at 2 a.m. this Sunday, November 3.

WOMP. WOMP.

Don’t believe us? It’s true. Just look what the Tampa Bay Times had to say about it: 

“Florida has voted against changing the clocks for the end of daylight saving time but the practice will still continue this Sunday.

“Floridians will join most of the nation when they turn their clocks back an hour Sunday, despite legislative momentum to end the practice.

“While state lawmakers in Tallahassee approved a bill in 2018 that would allow Florida to remain on daylight saving time year-round, it only works if Congress amends U.S. code to allow it.

“Sens. Marco Rubio and Rick Scott reintroduced the so-called Sunshine Protection Act in March in an effort to end the twice-annual time changes and have picked up notable cosponsors, including Tennessee Republican Lamar Alexander and Sen. Patty Murray, D-Washington.”

See? We nearly all agree that daylight saving is a bummer. In fact, proponents of a permanent daylight saving time say it will do everything from reducing childhood obesity and crime to improving the economy.

And really, who wouldn’t support those benefits? But, in an effort to be impartial, we found this list of pros and cons – just so we can’t be accused of providing you imbalanced ‘news.’

Pro: More Revenue 

In 2010, a lobbying group for convenience stores, The Association for Convenience and Fuel Retailing, told The New York Times that daylight saving time earned the convenience store industry an annual revenue of $1 billion since it began practicing it in 1986.

Con: It Might Throw Off Circadian Rhythms

Chronobiologists have noted that your natural circadian rhythm — your body’s internal clock — may be thrown off by adjusting the clock twice a year.* 

*Editor’s Note: That kinda sounds like a reason to end DST so clocks don’t have to be adjusted twice-yearly, but that’s just us.

Pro: More Sunlight For Activities

Springing your clocks forward by an hour provides more time to spend outside. In the sunlight.

Con: An Initial Spike In Traffic Accidents

In 2015, according to CBS News, there was an initial 17 percent spike in traffic accidents due to changes in people’s sleep patterns in the first week of daylight saving time. The accidents go down, according to the research, but this initial increase is worth mentioning as a con. See? We’re unbiased-ish.

Pro: Decrease In Crime

In 2015, The Brookings Institute referred to research that claimed crime fell by an average of 7 percent thanks to the practice, especially robberies, arguing that sunlight acts as a crime deterrent.

Con: Agriculturers Take A Hit

Farmers don’t seem to be fans of daylight saving time as they need sunlight for harvesting and tending to crops, keeping farmers in harmony with the sun’s position and timing. 

The biggest pro in our opinion? Most of us actually agree on something – that daylight saving time can kick rocks – now, we just have to wait for Congress to agree. Until then, let this serve as a reminder from us to you to turn back your clocks this Sunday. 

Because at DeLeon Sheffield Company, ‘We’re More Than Realty; We’re Family.’