Thinking Right

By Ragnar Danneskjöld

January 29, 2009 8:55 AM | Link to this

Good morning all. Full disclosure, I am the both the son and the son-in-law of life-long postal workers. Bureaucracy courses through my blood.

I approach the “post office” issue from the perspective of one who is running the whole show. The service is locked into a bad world. Email supplants first class for 90% of the traditional uses, not to mention effectively abolishing post cards. The loyal unionized work force is aging. The managers have to answer to every Congressional overlord. Of the variable costs of the product – labor, vehicles, gasoline, air contracts – only labor, the largest of the four, does not have significant upward pressure now. By volume, the largest element of home delivery is euphemistically called “junk mail” advertising pieces. Even there the long time cost-advantage enjoyed by the postal service is gone, supplanted first by telemarketing, and then by even cheaper junk email.

What’s a buggy-whip manufacturer to do? There are no new or additional revenue courses available, as there is stiff competition in the most lucrative delivery services, overnight mail (FedEx) and parcel shipment (UPS.) Reduction in service is seemingly the only course. My radical suggestion is to abolish home delivery entirely, and keep only the parcel and overnight services. End the government bureaucracy.

By Road Scholar

January 29, 2009 9:10 AM | Link to this

When were the gas taxes last raised? Have you heard of inflation? The gas taxes are not tied to the cost of living index, so they do not keep pace with real costs. Also, while there may be more cars using the roads, the increase in efficiency has “reduced” revenue. (Somewhat the water situation leading to rate increases.)

The infrastructure needs massive maintenance let alone enhancements. The emphasis should be on efficiency of movement (coordinated signal systems, for example) and these need installation and maintenance funds. Bridges need to be maintained and replaced, when warranted. Roadway widenings (based on efficiency instead of politics) need to be prioritized and funded.There is presently NO project which meets the Private Public Partnership criteria, so who is to fund?

The use of tolls have issues. The GDOT Board has a policy to not allow tolling on previously constructed “free” lanes. The I 85 NW corridor project will challenge that policy. When tolls are applied, unless there is a measurable time savings, motorists will reroute to the surface streets, causing additional congestion. Only major corridor widenings or improved transit service will suck traffic off parallel surface routes.

The Interstates were constructed in the 60’s and 70’s, and the pavements were designed for a 20 year design life. In the past the state overlaid 10% of the state route/interstate system each year, so each SR/IR received an overlay twice in their design life. Now GDOT can only afford to overlay 3% ,if that) of the SR system, causing a deficet in road quality, and perhaps safety. Also, with the past increases in allowable truck axle loads, the pavements are deterioating at a faster pace. Some pavements need full depth or near full depth replacemnt due to fatigue of the lower layers. There is a present need to address this needed maintenance. (reference Statewide Interstate Study at GDOT). I doubt that the local systems have had such an in depth study of future needs.

Jim, perhaps in your retirement you can assist by riding over the obselete bridges, or stand under them, to see their structural status?

By Curious Observer

January 29, 2009 9:15 AM | Link to this

I suppose the postal service will keep right on subsidizing the junk mail of businesses while telling the rest of us that there’s not enough revenue. In any week, I get at least three pounds of junk mail—everything from envelopes loaded with coupons to urgent pleas for me to sign up for this or that insurance plan or to meet with a friendly financial advisor who will treat me to dinner while trying to pick my pocket of my retirement savings. What’s really irksome is that these people are paying less than half the rate that I pay for mailing privileges. Why do the rest of us have to pay more so that business concerns can pay less?

And you want service? Try getting your mail delivered at 9 p.m., as I did last week. It never arrives before 4 p.m. Never mind that the postal carrier spends half his day at his sister’s house down the street. Or try mailing a letter on June 16 and getting it delivered on August 18, as happened to me this past summer.

I’m ready for the competition Wooten mentions. Postal rates keep going up and up, but service declines at the same rate.

By Road Scholar

January 29, 2009 9:34 AM | Link to this

Curious O: Do you think the businesses need another tax break to help fund their fair share of the mail service?

We now have a new mail courrier who, instead of delivering our mail at or after 5 pm, has been delivering it at about 1 PM!!!!! He is not long for his crreer in the Postal service once the union and his bosses find out! Maybe so, since we still get misplaced mail in our box regularly.

RD: So how do we get our mail? Pick it up at the post office? Yeah right….what a clusterf@@k that would be! I handle most billings electronically now, but real mail would need to be handled. Also many still don’t pay their bills electronically, esp if they don’t have access to a computer.

By Howard

January 29, 2009 9:37 AM | Link to this

Sir…great observation on the P.O., esp., concerning standing in lines forever and seeing a ton of vacant clerk spots…while probably 100+ people stand fuming in a line that doesn’t move!! But what would you expect from the government?? And this is the bunch that creates jobs and “saves” our economy? And this the same government that the exalted, most merciful,our Lord and Savior…Barack Obama and his fascist party…want managing health care, etc. This country is finished…down the tubes…gone!!! It will take a national emergency, I am convinced to steer us back on the right course. But wait…with Holywood, the media and the 50+% of our country that voted for Obama still live and well, maybe even a national emergency wouldn’t matter!! Those same people probably think standing in a line at the P.O., conserving water and gas and such is just fine.

By Road Scholar

January 29, 2009 9:42 AM | Link to this

Howard: Whoa is me! Delta is ready when you are!

By ron

January 29, 2009 10:01 AM | Link to this

I once had my paycheck mailed once a month and I had a post office box for that purpose.One would think that was a fairly simple plan.BUT—about every three days I had to go empty the box of junk mail.This became a royal pain,so I reverted back to picking up my check at the office.No,don’t tell me about electronic banking.I was also in that horror show.

like Jim,everytime I reduce my usage of a commodity,someone jacks up the price.I am a great conserver of electricity,but the price increases keep up with my savings.Now go ahead,tell me If I wasn’t conserving,my bill would be a lot higher.That’s hardly the point.

I get less than 50 pieces of mail a year that I actually want.Light biil,phone bill,car registration,2 insurance bills,and a few Christmas cards.The rest of my mail goes directly in the trash.The post office is filling the landfills.That’s their main purpose in life.

The post office can cut delivery to one day a week as far as I’m concerned and I wouldn’t squawk if they took that day off once in a while.Which they will if it falls anywhere near a holiday.

Sitting here and thinking back,I cannot remember the last tiime I mailed anything through the post office.It has been years.

No,I don’t reciprocate with Christmas cards.Equilibrium is the point I’m trying to reach.

By Simple Answers

January 29, 2009 10:03 AM | Link to this

Is it just me, or is Wooten become more like Andy Rooney every day? I mean come on and really, griping about the post office? Is there really nothing else to write about? Coming tomorrow…didja ever notice that the line you’re in at the supermarket always moves slower than every other line, and its usually because someone who doesn’t speak English is to blame.

Well, I guess the flood of 6 comments in two hours proves that this really is a hot topic.

Short-timing at its best. Even Rag had a hard time getting it up over this gem.

Rags: “My radical suggestion is to abolish home delivery entirely, and keep only the parcel and overnight services. End the government bureaucracy.”

Wow. Never saw that coming. Still, the enthusiasm is a rather wan.

By Disgusted

January 29, 2009 10:14 AM | Link to this

“Sitting here and thinking back,I cannot remember the last tiime I mailed anything through the post office.It has been years.”

Just pray that you don’t drop your letter in the slot at the time the P.O. has just removed the hamper beneath the slot and failed to replace it promptly. Letters fly all over the bare floor, some to be recovered during the quarterly clean-up.

By deegee

January 29, 2009 10:31 AM | Link to this

ron, seriously. You pick up your paycheck at your job site? Do you cash it at the check cashing store?

By Dennis Felton

January 29, 2009 10:33 AM | Link to this

Say, is that conservative columnist job still open?

By Glenn

January 29, 2009 10:38 AM | Link to this

Consider the Fourth Class Book Rate. It’s a kind of civil liturgy, a recognition that in a democracy, a traffic in books ought to be encouraged. Would the private sector serve such high purpose?

By RButler

January 29, 2009 10:50 AM | Link to this

“What’s a buggy-whip manufacturer to do?”

Ragnar, I’ve always thought a good lashing with a buggy whip would benefit you immensely.

By Eric

January 29, 2009 10:54 AM | Link to this

I still believe in the U.S. Postal Service and prefer to mail bills, etc. rather than online banking (with its complex technology, interruptions of service, and identity theft). However, I do agree that better service is needed, and I recall they just had increase in postage. They need to learn to cut out waste too.

By @@

January 29, 2009 11:03 AM | Link to this

Why Jim! I am more than happy to offer up my .02…..

Mail and More of it, I say.

By L.B. Tarian

January 29, 2009 11:04 AM | Link to this

I want a government that delivers my mail, defends our shores and stays out of my business.

By Peter

January 29, 2009 11:04 AM | Link to this

Jim today I do agree with you, not many times does that happen.

The Post office IS a JOKE……. Federal Employees are such slackers it is not funny.

This statement is amazing as well……

“Reduce your use of water during droughts and water departments insist on higher fees to cover reduced demand.”

Consumers get the shaft, that is what is happening all over America.

By deegee

January 29, 2009 11:14 AM | Link to this

In my opinion, sending checks through the mail is much riskier than banking online. Additionally, the credit card companies have timed the mailing of their statements in such a way that it appears that they are taking a predatory approach to collecting late fees. If you don’t mail your check the day you get the bill you are going to be cutting it close in order to avoid a late fee.

If your bank offers online banking, don’t be afraid of it. Use it. You will never go back to writing checks and buying stamps. There is another advantage in that you can download your checking account transactions to whatever money management software you prefer and - oh, nevermind. I had this conversation with my mother about 3 weeks ago and I should have saved my breath.

By ron

January 29, 2009 11:25 AM | Link to this

Dear Deegee——-I’m retired now and I have direct deposit,but when I worked I found the only way to be sure you actually had money to spend was to pick up my check at the jobsite.The company I worked for was not capable of getting an employee,a paycheck and a date anywhere near together.Personal pick-up seemed to work best.This was a very large corporaton,deegee.Their finance department could do astounding tricks with paychecks.I cashed these checks at the local bank,no charge.

By Tony

January 29, 2009 12:16 PM | Link to this

Just the USPS looking for a different kind of bailout with “no return” stamped on the envelope.

I’ve had it with the government crapfeast.

By Shawny

January 29, 2009 12:38 PM | Link to this

The USPS should drop Saturday deliveries. It is only mail, for crying out loud. Not like is is importatant packages. So, your Saturday mail shows up on Monday. what is the big deal. Still fits in the same vehicles and with the same stops. eliminates a lot of unneeded expense.

By GaLiberal

January 29, 2009 12:49 PM | Link to this

Moron Jim said: Reduce miles driven during a period of $4 gas and politicians and bureaucrats at the state and federal level start pleading poverty, insisting that Georgia needs an additional one percent sales tax statewide and that the federal gas tax of 18.4 cents per gallon be increased by 10 cents a gallon now and by up to 40 cents over a decade.

MJ is in fine form today with this piece of trash he’s trying to palm off as intelligent thought. Of course he uses all the right Rethuglicon words like “tax” and “increase” without putting it into context. The simple fact is the gas tax - which is supposed to pay for road projects - hasn’t kept up with inflation. That’s because the Rethuglicons relied on increasing consumption for extra revenue. Now that consumption is down, they have to admit the need for a tax increase. This is just an example of the “low taxes” lie by the Rethuglicons.

If increasing the gas tax helps keep consumption down and provides stability to oil prices, I’d willing pay the increase. It’s hard to swallow gas prices spiking like it did when selfish Atlanta drivers created an artificial gas shortage. Of course, there are the entitlement Rethuglicons out there that believe gas should be cheap so they can drive their gas-guzzling Hummers and trucks.

When you vote Rethuglicon, you vote against your own best interests. And whining about gas tax increase is living proof.

By Kale

January 29, 2009 12:51 PM | Link to this

Less for more. Still waiting for my mailman, Obama to deliver.

By getalife

January 29, 2009 12:52 PM | Link to this

Both parties are out of control with spending your money.

George Washington warned us about corrupt political parties in his farewell address:

“Towards the preservation of your government, and the permanency of your present happy state, it is requisite, not only that you steadily discountenance irregular oppositions to its acknowledged authority, but also that you resist with care the spirit of innovation upon its principles, however specious the pretexts. One method of assault may be to effect, in the forms of the Constitution, alterations which will impair the energy of the system, and thus to undermine what cannot be directly overthrown. In all the changes to which you may be invited, remember that time and habit are at least as necessary to fix the true character of governments as of other human institutions; that experience is the surest standard by which to test the real tendency of the existing constitution of a country; that facility in changes, upon the credit of mere hypothesis and opinion, exposes to perpetual change, from the endless variety of hypothesis and opinion; and remember, especially, that for the efficient management of your common interests, in a country so extensive as ours, a government of as much vigor as is consistent with the perfect security of liberty is indispensable. Liberty itself will find in such a government, with powers properly distributed and adjusted, its surest guardian. It is, indeed, little else than a name, where the government is too feeble to withstand the enterprises of faction, to confine each member of the society within the limits prescribed by the laws, and to maintain all in the secure and tranquil enjoyment of the rights of person and property.

I have already intimated to you the danger of parties in the State, with particular reference to the founding of them on geographical discriminations. Let me now take a more comprehensive view, and warn you in the most solemn manner against the baneful effects of the spirit of party generally.

This spirit, unfortunately, is inseparable from our nature, having its root in the strongest passions of the human mind. It exists under different shapes in all governments, more or less stifled, controlled, or repressed; but, in those of the popular form, it is seen in its greatest rankness, and is truly their worst enemy.

The alternate domination of one faction over another, sharpened by the spirit of revenge, natural to party dissension, which in different ages and countries has perpetrated the most horrid enormities, is itself a frightful despotism. But this leads at length to a more formal and permanent despotism. The disorders and miseries which result gradually incline the minds of men to seek security and repose in the absolute power of an individual; and sooner or later the chief of some prevailing faction, more able or more fortunate than his competitors, turns this disposition to the purposes of his own elevation, on the ruins of public liberty.

Without looking forward to an extremity of this kind (which nevertheless ought not to be entirely out of sight), the common and continual mischiefs of the spirit of party are sufficient to make it the interest and duty of a wise people to discourage and restrain it.

It serves always to distract the public councils and enfeeble the public administration. It agitates the community with ill-founded jealousies and false alarms, kindles the animosity of one part against another, foments occasionally riot and insurrection. It opens the door to foreign influence and corruption, which finds a facilitated access to the government itself through the channels of party passions. Thus the policy and the will of one country are subjected to the policy and will of another.

There is an opinion that parties in free countries are useful checks upon the administration of the government and serve to keep alive the spirit of liberty. This within certain limits is probably true; and in governments of a monarchical cast, patriotism may look with indulgence, if not with favor, upon the spirit of party. But in those of the popular character, in governments purely elective, it is a spirit not to be encouraged. From their natural tendency, it is certain there will always be enough of that spirit for every salutary purpose. And there being constant danger of excess, the effort ought to be by force of public opinion, to mitigate and assuage it. A fire not to be quenched, it demands a uniform vigilance to prevent its bursting into a flame, lest, instead of warming, it should consume.”

Go Independent to send them a message.

By Disgusted

January 29, 2009 12:53 PM | Link to this

“So, your Saturday mail shows up on Monday. what is the big deal.”

So we get our service cut by 16.6% and pay the same postal rates.

How about if you get 83% of a double cheeseburger the next time you go to Mickey Ds but pay the same price you’ve always paid. OK with you, Shawny? Or how about if you put $1 in the vending machine for a Milky Way listed at 70 cents but get only 25 cents in change. Still OK with you?

By Simple Answers

January 29, 2009 12:53 PM | Link to this

Gad, it’s deader here than Bob Dole’s d i c k. So here’s a serious question to try to defibrillate this column:

It’s easy to gripe about the post office, and easier still to use it as an example of a poorly run business.

Which specific business model would the readers tout as the emblem of efficiency and strong customer service that would serve as a template for the kind of privately run post office envisioned here? Phone company? Insurance companies? Banks? Cable companies? Auto companies?

It is the article of conservative faith that private business is the engine of innovation and market-driven efficiency. Which business, please, is the exemplar that would replace the postal service model? Keep in mind that scale matters…a well-run small business might have a hard time scaling up to a nationwide entity that also has an international component.

By JLK

January 29, 2009 1:02 PM | Link to this

Personally, I like receiving personal mail (could do without the junk), and mailing my bills instead of entrusting them to the cyber realm. Okay, PAY ATTENTION, y’all! Here’s how we can HELP redistrubute last year’s banking bailout money to the Postal Service — since they’re not lending it out anyway, those dirty crooks! Ready?

1—Take all those credit card solicitations out of the envelopes they came in. 2—Rip them in half. 3—Stick them in the enclosed self-paid-postage-return envelope for a DIFFERENT credit card company (or the same, but that’s not as much fun.) 4—Drop them in the mailbox! The USPS recieves revenue for returning unwanted crud to its sources, and you have the satisfaction of actually helping somebody without spending any money!

Seriously, not kidding; I actually amuse myself this way on bill nights. {:-D Glad to help!

By Redneck Convert

January 29, 2009 1:06 PM | Link to this

“Which specific business model would the readers tout as the emblem of efficiency and strong customer service that would serve as a template for the kind of privately run post office envisioned here? Phone company? Insurance companies? Banks? Cable companies? Auto companies?”

Well, I would say the meth makers are about the best I ever seen. They take a bunch of stuff that maybe cost $100 and turn it into $10,000 real fast. It’s always there when you need it. They run the risk of getting blowed up if things ain’t done right, but the profit is worth it. Another risk is getting nabbed by the cops. But when’s the last time you went to pick up some meth and the dealer says he’s out? And it’s everywhere. No customer is too big or too small. So I hope I’ve answered your question.

By SaveOurRepublic

January 29, 2009 1:32 PM | Link to this

It does appear post office counter workers operate at a snail’s pace. I suspect that’s par for the course for most government workers, but I can’t/won’t say for sure! ;-)

By Newman

January 29, 2009 1:53 PM | Link to this

Why shouldn’t we limit the number of customers we see? After all, when you control the mail, you control… INFORMATION.

By david wayne osedach, san diego/ U.S.A.

January 29, 2009 2:09 PM | Link to this

In England they pay 10 cents more per stamp and deliver the mail twice a day!

By El Jefe

January 29, 2009 2:12 PM | Link to this

It is odd, how the liberals whine about the Post office and its built in inefficiencies, but want the feds to take care of them.

You have to admit that the internet did what no other business could, broke the monopoly of the USPS.

This is just another example of wonderful government service to the tax payer. Slow lines, specially designed and built vehicles, strong unions for public sector workers - all to the disadvantage of the tax payer.

BTW, I could live if they only delivered on Monday, Wednesday and Friday -

By h ryder

January 29, 2009 2:15 PM | Link to this

Here is a solution for many. MOVE TO ANOTHER COUNTRY!!!!!!!!!!!!

By Cornbread Fred

January 29, 2009 2:23 PM | Link to this

Greeting, all! Today in Jim’s article he GETS IT RIGHT and lots of you folks want to skewer him. C’mon, Jim, the Clermont Lounge has lotsa cold PBR! Let’s go throw back a few!

By Peadawg

January 29, 2009 2:26 PM | Link to this

GaLiberal: “Of course, there are the entitlement Rethuglicons out there that believe…….”

Of course, there are the entitlement Democrats out there that believe they can steal from the wealthy and give to the people who have 6 babies just so they stay on welfare.

Man, GaLiberal, I’m getting tired or correcting all of your posts today.

By jm

January 29, 2009 2:33 PM | Link to this

I wonder if the same people complaining about government inefficiencies while waiting in line for the one open clerk in the post office complain about free market inefficiencies while waiting in line for the one open register at WalMart.

By Chuck

January 29, 2009 2:43 PM | Link to this

I am reminded of the (quickly abandoned) government proposal a few years ago to collect a small fee on every email sent, the proceeds going to compensate the P.O. for lost revenue. It would seem the government feels it is entitled to some small part of every communication that occurs in our so-called ‘free’ country. It wouldn’t surprise me one little bit to see that proposal dredged up again sometime during the Obama administration. Don’t forget, it’s time we all ‘pitch in.’

Beyond that, the Post Office is dead; just as dead as newspapers are. We’re just waiting for the corpse to stop twitching.

By Mrs. RepubLady

January 29, 2009 2:50 PM | Link to this

Peadawg, well said. Now, when you say “the wealthy,” do you mean folks like Bernie Madoff? (Clever, clever man. Jail? Don’t be ridiculous!) The exectives who give themselves huge bonuses while their companies failed? (Good thinking, guys!) Or the executives and stockholders (like me) in the few companies that have been doing VERY well in recent years, like Halliburton, and Exxon-Mobil? (It really does save you a bundle in taxes if you move your HQ to a place like Dubai. Ditto when the congressmen you bought votes you a few more loopholes.) You’re right! “The wealthy” should be exempt from paying the taxes that keep America going year after year. Nevermind the roads… the people who count will use our private (corporate… heh heh) jets to get where we’re going, right? BLEEP THE POOR! Low-life, working class scum. How DARE they expect the government work for them, too? THEY DIDN’T BUY IT! “The Wealthy” did!

I don’t work for my income, (I get it the old-fashioned way), so I shouldn’t have to pay taxes on it. No more taxes of any kind! Yes, Limbaugh and Peadawg speak for me.

By Carol

January 29, 2009 2:50 PM | Link to this

Mr. Wooten; Please investigate and report on e-mails circulating the country at the present time. l.) Windfall tax on retirement income(comments by Nancy Pelosi) 2.) Obbama giving ACORN $5.2 billion in stimulus fund. Thank you. Many people read your column.

By El Jefe

January 29, 2009 2:50 PM | Link to this

jm,

At least Wal-mart has self serve lines.

Personally, the USPS has forces my expectations down to around those of our First Immigrant President, the compassionate and merciful one.

By jm

January 29, 2009 2:55 PM | Link to this

El Jefe - so does the post office.

By Peadawg

January 29, 2009 3:05 PM | Link to this

Mrs. RepubLady, “BLEEP THE POOR! Low-life, working class scum. How DARE they expect the government work for them, too? THEY DIDN’T BUY IT! “The Wealthy” did!”

When I say “wealthy”, I mean Obama’s definition of “weathly” (those who make over $250,000).

You completely misread my post. I never said or implied that the working class is scum. What I said was, and I quote “the people who have 6 babies just so they stay on welfare.” These are the people who refuse to even try and get a job and expect the gov’t to pay for their 6 babies. These are the ones that get on my nerves.

By findog

January 29, 2009 3:11 PM | Link to this

The answer is simple and was part of one of the great email scams of all time. Place a five cent charge on all email to continue funding the Ragnar clan…

By Ygtbkmr

January 29, 2009 3:11 PM | Link to this

demwits don’t mind waiting in line. they do it all the time to get welfare benefits.

By Curious Observer

January 29, 2009 3:13 PM | Link to this

Peadawg @3:05 PM: you have made Mrs. Republady’s day. She is a known troll of the liberal persuasion, much like Captain Freedom and Redneck Convert. You are the one who did the misreading.

By Peadawg

January 29, 2009 3:19 PM | Link to this

Curious Observer, I don’t agree with her. I may a Republican, but she doesn’t speak for me when the she calls the working class scum…i never said anything that rude.

By ron

January 29, 2009 3:21 PM | Link to this

Redneck’s a liberal?????Who woulda thunk it?????

By JT

January 29, 2009 3:40 PM | Link to this

Yes, absolutely open up first-class mail to competition. It’ll force the Post Office to become more efficient or become extinct.

By dave

January 29, 2009 3:44 PM | Link to this

GaLiberal

To quote an old GA democrate, being called a moron by you, is like being call ugly by a frog….

By ron

January 29, 2009 5:19 PM | Link to this

The working class is hardly scum.Obama has awarded them a tax break that will last two whole years and will be worth $4.80 a week.With this princely sum they are going forth to do battle with the flagging economy.Singlehandedly they will overcome all the Wall Street bankers,all the defaulted mortgages,all the greed of the CEO’S.On their broad muscular backs ride the hopes and dreams of the nation.Never have so many been asked to do so much with so little.

By Jane

January 29, 2009 5:24 PM | Link to this

I know it’s after 5 and you all won’t be at your work computers goofing off but here goes: Jim – you actually think introducing the PROFIT MOTIVE into mail service would make things better???
Ragnar - you’re the son of government employees? Curious O - Have you reported your carrier who spends half his day at his sister’s house to his supervisor? All who complained about the slow lines – labor being the most expensive cost to any business, the post office has implemented MANY innovations to get people to stop coming in person – online stamp purchases, etc, but people just continue to go stand there. Duh. Howard – Barack Obama is not a fascist. Ron – and this company you worked for that couldn’t handle getting your paycheck to you was in the holy private sector? GaLiberal – I like a lot of what you have to say but it is ruined by your use of the word “Rethuglicon.” Republicans are people too. JLK – I do that myself from time to time – it’s fun. Redneck Convert – you are always hilarious. SaveourRepublic – no, it’s not par for the course for government workers, there are slow-moving people and fast-moving people in every human enterprise – public and private. Smart and not-smart ones also. Newman – I miss Seinfeld! Cornbread Fred – Love the Clermont Lounge at 2 A.M. on a Saturday night! Peadawg – that is a myth about the six babies just to stay on welfare. Mrs Republady – I agree with you – whenever someone complains about a poor person who has a cellphone or a big car I want to say, “Oh you’re exactly right – it’s not enough that they’re poor. They should have NOTHING that makes them happy.” Carol – I hope this was a joke. The emails circulating the country about Obama are just a bunch of trash. Simple Answers – you are right – JW seems just to be complaining now. And your question about which business model should replace the PO was right on – ALL of the complaints on this blog, from liberals, conservatives, and whatever else are complaints about HUMAN IMPERFECTION. Face it – it’s not going away.

By maconham

January 29, 2009 6:15 PM | Link to this

Guess who takes FedEx and UPS’s packages into the real rural areas, the Post Office. They are the only ones required by law to service every citizen regardless where they live, even by mule, float planes and boats in some areas of the country. Sparsely populated areas are not profitable to pay someone to drive to deliver one item to a single person.

Let everyone and anyone have first class mail top deliver, there will be no more sanctity of the mail. You would trust the Pizza boy with your check, maybe a diamond from your great aunt, no problem. But then you would support the Post Office with tax dollars, probably 100%.

By law, the government must provide delivery service to all citizens, every house in the USA and its territories. That includes areas of the Grand Canyon, all of Alaska, the swamps and bayous of Louisiana, which like above FedEx and UPS, now send their parcels the last mile with the USPS, it’s not cost efficient for them. Maybe some people shouldn’t have mail delivery, even if they live so remote they don’t have internet, do you have the right and authority to decide that for them. What about all of you, why don’t we let anyone that don’t need the Post Office anymore take up their mail boxes? And if someone sends you something valuable they can toss that package into the land field. Less stops, less time, pay and gas, that would work. Why not vote on it, vote on which towns should or shouldn’t receive mail, which could save a bunch, right?

Guess what year was the last year the Post Office took one dime from taxes? That was 1970 which was the last year they were a true government agency.

The Postmaster General is not asking for a bailout or a tax break now, just not having to prepay all retirement funds 8 years in advance. Due to still being federally connected, not controlled, congress passed the ruling a few years back, instead of being 2 years ahead, if the Post Office paid 8 years, the Feds could get their greedy little hands on more money sooner.

Think of the gas saved that wouldn’t have to come from the Middle East or pollute your air if 50,000+ vehicles could be setting idle one more day per week.

Do you still need something critical delivered on Saturday, that wouldn’t change? Just like now when the Post Office delivers Express Mail to your house on Sunday’s, like no one else will, you just pay extra if it is that critical. There are no regulations making the other companies do that.

1 cent gasoline increase cost the post office over 2 million dollars per year, but their rates can’t be instantly raised or a surcharge applied as FedEx and UPS have several times over the past year.

The Postoffice maintains 34,406 Facilities, way too many. Try to close a single little Post Office and every congressman gets involved. They will pull all kind of laws and regulations out on why they can’t close one. So even the little office that pays a Postmaster $35K per year, another $4000 on rent and utilities and only takes in $3500 per year has to remain open.

Is it a bureaucracy, hell yea, you can’t service every house in the USA every day with over 700,000 employees and not be a bureaucracy.

Even you can look all this up and verify it as the facts, once you extract your head.

By Simple Answers

January 29, 2009 8:28 PM | Link to this

Q: Does maconham realize that the wingnut’s irrational hatred of the all things government have nothing to do with the facts of the situation?

A: Apparently not. But an excellent post all the same. Bravo.