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The letter in the June 25 edition indicating the value of the United States Postal Service was spot on. This organization established by Benjamin Franklin with the promise of providing delivery to every household has been the subject of many complaints and has been targeted many times for replacement or privatization.
Before going any further, I must acknowledge that I am a proud retired United States Postal Service Employee, so my view may lean in support of what this organization represents. I was involved during my career in many "Reorganizations" many of which were positive and one in particular that was detrimental to my continued employment. But, things of this nature happen every day in many organizations and the end results of this one event actually turned out to be positive anyway.
Now back to the conversation at hand. As Mr. Kyle has pointed out, delivery of mail to all households in both city and rural areas is the promise of the Postal Service and despite all odds against it, is actually quite successful. Yes, mail gets lost or delayed but, in most cases, eventually shows up. Automation sometimes causes mail to take a merry-go-round route prior to being delivered, but delivery is made to the recipient none-the-less. The actual Postal Service delivery rate stands at ninety eight percent. That is quite close to perfection as I see it. Changing from a Government Service to a Private service would not be a guarantee of improved service, and as stated by Mr. Kyle, UPS and Fed Ex divert their less profitable deliveries into the lap of, who else, the Postal Service. So, it is no wonder that costs incurred above and beyond the expected norm would "put a hole" in any budget. Amazon is also happy to pass off less profitable deliveries that are then brought to you courtesy of the Postal Service.
So, in essence, it would not be a happy ending if this age-old terrific service provided by outstanding, dedicated employees would be dissected and destroyed by some form of sale or redirection of purpose. Yes a stamp now costs us seventy-three cents, and will increase to seventy-eight cents in July, but is still a bargain considering how much it would cost for you to drive the distance. Even a very local delivery would cost more given the price of fuel, not to mention the wear and tear on our private vehicles. What does hurt the Postal Service bottom line (and I myself am guilty) is on line payments which were once paid by check and mailed to each recipient. If politics and unnecessary interference in the daily service provided by this organization were removed and proper management practices be allowed to prevail, the Postal Service would prove to be the bargain it actually is.
"Neither snow, nor rain, nor heat, nor gloom of night stays these swift couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds," was written by the ancient Greek historian Herodotus in praise of the couriers of his day.
MEL BENJAMIN
Watsontown
Submitted by Virtual Newsroom