Post Office - a big warning sign

[Kreutz]

But it has been borrowing from the US Treasury, not quite self sufficient I will admit.

So even a "corporation" which is maintained through the acceptance of funds from what amounts to a PRINTING PRESS cannot stay solvent?

What does that say?

It was in the black for most of its history, it only started having problems rather recently. If it sinks or swim, so be it. I don't think we the taxpayer should save any enterprise, the cost of bailing them out would be worse than the increase in price from FedEx and UPS colluding once their biggest competitor is gone.

If it can save itself, great. Its a classic American institution in the spirit of the Revolutionary times (neither rain nor snow? Dont see that anymore) and a part of our history.

Oh yeah, didn't answer your question not sure what it says except I suppose nothing lasts forever.

[Reverenddel]

Again! I like the idea of a "central hub", and you pick up your own mail.

Considering most of it is junk mail any way! You could cancel weekend deliver, convert the lil' postal vehicles into "package delivery", and ATTEMPT to compete with the "big boi's".

I think it would save them money, and time.... Less prep for delivery, everyone is assigned a postal box, less Identity Theft because the U.S. Postal Inspectors would be spot on with seeing 100 credit cards delivered to one box in different names.

Gee? Might I suggest firing 2/3's of the rude postal workers I have dealt with in my life due to their "haughty" status?

[Palladin]

Again! I like the idea of a "central hub", and you pick up your own mail.

Considering most of it is junk mail any way! YES!!! Eliminate junk mail! Save the Planet! You could cancel weekend deliver, convert the lil' postal vehicles into "package delivery", and ATTEMPT to compete with the "big boi's".

I think it would save them money, and time.... Less prep for delivery, everyone is assigned a postal box, Where would these be? Every PO I've dealt with in my 46 years had a waiting list for boxes, they were already full up...


less Identity Theft because the U.S. Postal Inspectors would be spot on with seeing 100 credit cards delivered to one box in different names.

Gee? Might I suggest firing 2/3's of the rude postal workers I have dealt with in my life due to their "haughty" status? Heck yeah, brotha!

[Reverenddel]

If you had a LARGE central hub, You'd have available standard post boxes...Packages, and such would be DELIVERED, and official documents already travel UPS/FED EX, just add USPS "Door Delivery" for additional fees, and documentation.

There's a way to build central hubs by expanding already established post offices.... If they can make 10K cubbie holes for a corporation in ONE campus, i think we can find a way to store 10K cubbie holes for one area.

[Kreutz]

If you had a LARGE central hub, You'd have available standard post boxes...Packages, and such would be DELIVERED, and official documents already travel UPS/FED EX, just add USPS "Door Delivery" for additional fees, and documentation.

There's a way to build central hubs by expanding already established post offices.... If they can make 10K cubbie holes for a corporation in ONE campus, i think we can find a way to store 10K cubbie holes for one area.

Hate to be the fly in the ointment, but what about folks in the sticks for whom a trip the nearest hub could be three hours one way?

Its a good idea for urban/suburban America though.

[Diomed]

Hey now, rural free delivery is one of America's towering achievements!

[Reverenddel]

Not being a fly in the ointment at all!

I think Central Hubs would be located at convenient spots like Town Government Centers and such.

By "central hub" I'm not talking 10 per state, i'm saying if you have a post office in a town of 4K people or more, you have a "central hub", and if you're in the sticks?

Ya' gotta come to town every now, and again for Coffee, Sugar, Flour, and Information.

If anything? I think doing it that way could offset cost, provide better security of mail theft, and keep punkassed kids from swatting mail boxes.

P.S. Diamond plate mailboxes RUIN a good bat, and shoulder... I have heard.

[wylde007]

Gee? Might I suggest firing 2/3's of the rude postal workers I have dealt with in my life due to their "haughty" status?

My mail carrier is one of the kindest individuals I have ever met. I will probably miss him more than I will most of my neighbors when I move early next year.

He's one of the good ones, for sure.

[jnojr]

The answer is simple.

Allow USPS to set postal rates without Congressional interference. Let them charge whatever amount will support their operations. If they charge "too much", then fewer people will use the service, they'll lose money, and will be forced to lower prices. But, obviously, they don't charge enough... and that means the taxpayer is subsidizing everyone who sends mail, including bulk / commercial mailers. That isn't right.

[OakRidgeStars]

That does nothing to address the fact that 80% of the USPS budget is for labor costs, either present employees or retirees on pension. That is not sustainable for any business.