Time to accept the death of the Postal Service

[Geee]

Washington Times:

T he ubiquity of email and social-networking websites has caused a steady decline in the number of people using the services of the 236-year-old U.S. Postal Service. With the online presence of banks and credit card and utility companies, relying on the USPS to pay bills often has become unnecessary. The result is a decrease in first-class mail volume from 104 billion in 2001 to 73.5 billion in 2010 and an estimated 47 percent drop expected over the next decade.

Many, including the National Association of Letter Carriers, urge Congress to take action to save the USPS from an impending demise. In 2006, Congress acted by passing the Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act (PAEA) to inhibit the USPS‘ ability to increase rates and to obligate it to pre-fund 75 years’ worth of future health care benefits to retirees over a 10-year period. How an organization with a $5 billion (and growing) budget shortfall is expected to fund such benefits is beyond me and apparently beyond the USPS.

It recently announced a $2.1 billion cost-savings proposal - calling for the closure of more than half of its mail-processing centers, the initial elimination of 28,000 jobs and the end of overnight first-class mail. This is on top of plans to cease Saturday delivery and increase first-class mail delivery times. However, these are mere Band-Aids on a hemorrhaging quasi-government institution. Rep. Peter A. DeFazio, Oregon Democrat, recommended “this so-called postmaster general should be fired because of a lack of any imagination or initiative.” Congress should look in the mirror, as the initiative it should undertake is the elimination of government interference with the USPS - allowing it to function like other (private) businesses.

[NCJim]

The problem is not the widely touted narrative that the Postal Service is outmoded and that competition from the internet has eroded it to the point of near extinction. The problem is a 2006 Congressional mandate that the Postal Service prefund future retire health benefits for the next 75 years and do it in a decade. No other government or private company is required to do so. Yet the mandate was implemented, and since implemenation has cost the PO $21 Billion. Over the 4 yrs. from 2007 to 2010, the PO made a net operational profit delivering mail of $611 million during the worst recceccion in 80 years.

[Pepper]

The problem is not the widely touted narrative that the Postal Service is outmoded and that competition from the internet has eroded it to the point of near extinction. The problem is a 2006 Congressional mandate that the Postal Service prefund future retire health benefits for the next 75 years and do it in a decade. No other government or private company is required to do so. Yet the mandate was implemented, and since implemenation has cost the PO $21 Billion. Over the 4 yrs. from 2007 to 2010, the PO made a net operational profit delivering mail of $611 million during the worst recceccion in 80 years.

NCJim, I did not know that.

So I looked,

 

H.R. 6407: Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act

 

109th Congress: 2005-2006

 

To reform the postal laws of the United States.

 

Sponsor: Rep. Thomas Davis [R-VA11]

 

This bill became law. It was signed by George Bush.

 

Sponsor

Rep. Thomas Davis [R-VA11]

 

co sponsors

 

Danny Davis [D-IL7]

John McHugh [R-NY23]

Henry Waxman [D-CA30]

 

were co sponsors of that idiotic bill.

 

 

AND

Dec 8, 2006: This bill passed in the House of Representatives by voice vote. A record of each representative’s position was not kept.

Dec 9, 2006: This bill passed in the Senate by Unanimous Consent. A record of each senator’s position was not kept.

[Pepper]

A Manufactured ‘Crisis’: Congress Can Let The Post Office Save Itself Without Mass Layoffs Or Service Reductions

[NCJim]

The Postal Service’s Share of CSRS Pension Responsibility

[RandyM]

The Postal Service’s Share of CSRS Pension Responsibility

 

 

OMG. I have the noose around my neck, but can't find anyone to kick the chair out from under me.

[Pepper]

The Postal Service’s Share of CSRS Pension Responsibility

NCJim! Thanks for file.