Hmm, I have mixed feelings about this. On the one hand I want to say "they're obsolete, let's kill it and let private industry (i.e. UPS, DHL, FedEx) take over". Then on the other hand I see a need for it because some haven't embraced the technological revolution. Hell, some banks and services out there don't have online bill pay yet and people in the rural areas wouldn't probably be serviced by private carriers as it would be unprofitable.
I'd be much more in favor of hiking the price of crap junk mail and business related mail than individuals mail though.
FOX News
The United States Postal Service filed a request Friday seeking higher rates, including a two-cent increase in first-class mail, in order to help cover pension obligations and an expected decline in letter volume.
The Postal Service said the price of a first-class stamp would rise to 39 cents from 37 cents early next year if the increase is approved by the Postal Rate Commission, an independent body that oversees the post office.
The increase comes as part of a broader 5.4 percent rate rise that the Postal Service will apply to most packages.
The stamp price increase is needed to cover a $3.1 billion payment that Congress requires the Postal Service to make to its employee pension fund. The agency has sought congressional action to eliminate that requirement. If that happens, postal officials said, the rate increase request will be withdrawn.
Tipped by: Say Anything
Funny how 1st class mail always "takes it on the chin" while junk mailers seem to get a pass.
I would like to see the postal service return to what it was originally envisioned as: a method of secure correspondance for businesses and individuals.
Require junk mailers to pay full rate, and allow attrition to reduce the workforce. Not so many employees (or equipment) would be needed due to the much reduced volume of mail.
The savings would be huge.
Junk mail annoys most people and serves no useful purpose. It's time to stop subsidizing it by using governmental resources to cheaply distribute it.
Posted by: EdWonk on April 11, 2005 09:01 PM
