What if the U.S. govn't permanently got rid of the U.S. Post Service?

Ro_Laren · November 18 2012, 04:47 PM

I read on-line that, "The struggling U.S. Postal Service on Thursday reported an annual loss of a record $15.9 billion and forecast more red ink in 2013." What do you think would happen if the U.S. govn't permanently got rid of the U.S. Post Service?

SmoothieX · November 18 2012, 04:54 PM

The presidents of UPS and FedEx would spray their shorts?

Mr. Laser Beam · November 18 2012, 05:04 PM

I don't see the USPS going away entirely. I do, however, think it may cut back delivery to weekdays only, or even every other weekday. That would help people who can't afford to go paperless (i.e. they don't have Internet access).

Stephen! · November 18 2012, 05:08 PM

Are the majority of Job applications in America done online then, rather than the traditional resume/cover letter sent via post?

bigdaddy · November 18 2012, 05:50 PM

Stephen! wrote:

Are the majority of Job applications in America done online then, rather than the traditional resume/cover letter sent via post?

No one mails in resumes. You do them online or just go in person.

Finn · November 18 2012, 06:01 PM

^Many of my job applications had to be mailed in, including resumes. Some of the potential employers wanted a hardcopy...

Robert D. Robot · November 18 2012, 06:40 PM

I think UPS, FedEx, Walmart (Yes... they are rumored to be interested handling mail, at least in serving as "post offices") would quickly jump in to fill the void of a collapse of the Postal Service that some members of Congress have put into play (and don't think there would be kickbacks for them!).

The Postal Service has been charged with creating and putting aside money to fund the projected benefits of their employees over the next 70 years. And they've been forced to do this in 10 years. What business do you know that could operate this way and stay afloat? No wonder they are "losing money". Some congress members want to force the Postal Service out of business so that the business be taken over by private business people.

In that case, all you folks in rural areas can look forward to your rates going up to cover the additional effort needed to get the mail out and around to you. Ben Franklin set up the Post Office and I think it should stay working as it does, but with having this crippling financial burden weighing it down.

Mr. Laser Beam · November 18 2012, 06:43 PM

^ Walmart? Yeesh. If they end up taking over the postal service, I fear for what might happen...

T'Girl · November 18 2012, 06:49 PM

I'd have to check, but doesn't the constitution require the federal government to have a post office? This could be changed with some difficulty.

Story goes that years ago FedX and UPS were interesrtted in taking over letter delivery, basically each handling half the country and interfacing with each other. At some point they were told they would have to assume the pension and benefits for the USPS employees, that broke the deal.

Why destroy your company from day one?

Mr. Laser Beam · November 18 2012, 06:54 PM

T'Girl wrote:

I'd have to check, but doesn't the constitution require the federal government to have a post office?

The Postal Clause doesn't require the government to have a post office, just authorizes it to create one.

wissaboo · November 18 2012, 06:56 PM

the postal services are going broke because people don't need them anymore. So not much would happen.

Canada post went on strike last year. No one noticed.

sojourner · November 18 2012, 07:10 PM

Finn wrote:

^Many of my job applications had to be mailed in, including resumes. Some of the potential employers wanted a hardcopy...

That seems down right antiquated. Some peculiarity of the industry you work in?

T'Girl · November 18 2012, 07:16 PM

If the USPS stopped receiving any federal money, does anyone know about how much postage would have to be for the post office to continue?

Operating costs, benefits, pensions, etc.?

Finn · November 18 2012, 08:24 PM

sojourner wrote:

Finn wrote:

^Many of my job applications had to be mailed in, including resumes. Some of the potential employers wanted a hardcopy...

That seems down right antiquated. Some peculiarity of the industry you work in?

Education....

Probably because emails can be missed if they get a lot of emails, and faxes can get lost easily.

It probably depends on the school system and how they process applications. Most schools require applicants go through the state (or county or city) system while others can be filled out on the computer and emailed over. Some prefer to have it mailed over. It may also depend on the person processing the applications. They may be terrible with emails and prefer to have the applications in packets in his or her mailbox at the office.

Ar-Pharazon · November 18 2012, 10:42 PM

T'Girl wrote:

If the USPS stopped receiving any federal money, does anyone know about how much postage would have to be for the post office to continue?

Operating costs, benefits, pensions, etc.?

If run like a real business, rather than a government agency, it would no doubt be more efficient & cost effective.

Unfortunately, "more efficient" translates into crappy customer service, which is actually not much different than a government agency.

As bad a rep as the USPS gets, and sometimes deserves, I can't imagine not having it for residential deliveries, especially living in an apartment building.

Both UPS & FedEx commonly leave parcels in the hallway, without ever ringing the buzzer or knocking on the door.

They manage to get in the building by way of someone else, I imagine.

And as nice as this complex is, there's always some piece of s4it that will help themselves to anything left in the hallway.

November 18 2012, 04:47 PM	#1
Ro_Laren Commodore Location: The Badlands	What if the U.S. govn't permanently got rid of the U.S. Post Service? I read on-line that, "The struggling U.S. Postal Service on Thursday reported an annual loss of a record $15.9 billion and forecast more red ink in 2013." What do you think would happen if the U.S. govn't permanently got rid of the U.S. Post Service?

November 18 2012, 04:54 PM	#2
SmoothieX Vice Admiral Location: Massachusetts	Re: What if the U.S. govn't permanently got rid of the U.S. Post Servi The presidents of UPS and FedEx would spray their shorts?

November 18 2012, 05:04 PM	#3
Mr. Laser Beam Fleet Admiral Location: The visitor's bullpen	Re: What if the U.S. govn't permanently got rid of the U.S. Post Servi I don't see the USPS going away entirely. I do, however, think it may cut back delivery to weekdays only, or even every other weekday. That would help people who can't afford to go paperless (i.e. they don't have Internet access). __________________ It is by caffeine alone I set my mind in motion. It is by the beans of Java that thoughts acquire speed, the hands acquire shakes, the shakes become a warning. It is by caffeine alone I set my mind in motion.

November 18 2012, 05:08 PM	#4
Stephen! Commander Location: England	Re: What if the U.S. govn't permanently got rid of the U.S. Post Servi Are the majority of Job applications in America done online then, rather than the traditional resume/cover letter sent via post?

November 18 2012, 06:01 PM	#6
Finn Vice Admiral Location: West of Boston	Re: What if the U.S. govn't permanently got rid of the U.S. Post Servi ^Many of my job applications had to be mailed in, including resumes. Some of the potential employers wanted a hardcopy...

STAR TREK

CSI

ABOUT US

November 18 2012, 06:40 PM	#7
Robert D. Robot Captain Location: Pre-Warp Civilization of New England	Re: What if the U.S. govn't permanently got rid of the U.S. Post Servi I think UPS, FedEx, Walmart (Yes... they are rumored to be interested handling mail, at least in serving as "post offices") would quickly jump in to fill the void of a collapse of the Postal Service that some members of Congress have put into play (and don't think there would be kickbacks for them!). The Postal Service has been charged with creating and putting aside money to fund the projected benefits of their employees over the next 70 years. And they've been forced to do this in 10 years. What business do you know that could operate this way and stay afloat? No wonder they are "losing money". Some congress members want to force the Postal Service out of business so that the business be taken over by private business people. In that case, all you folks in rural areas can look forward to your rates going up to cover the additional effort needed to get the mail out and around to you. Ben Franklin set up the Post Office and I think it should stay working as it does, but with having this crippling financial burden weighing it down.

November 18 2012, 06:43 PM	#8
Mr. Laser Beam Fleet Admiral Location: The visitor's bullpen	Re: What if the U.S. govn't permanently got rid of the U.S. Post Servi ^ Walmart? Yeesh. If they end up taking over the postal service, I fear for what might happen... __________________ It is by caffeine alone I set my mind in motion. It is by the beans of Java that thoughts acquire speed, the hands acquire shakes, the shakes become a warning. It is by caffeine alone I set my mind in motion.

November 18 2012, 06:49 PM	#9
T'Girl Vice Admiral	Re: What if the U.S. govn't permanently got rid of the U.S. Post Servi I'd have to check, but doesn't the constitution require the federal government to have a post office? This could be changed with some difficulty. Story goes that years ago FedX and UPS were interesrtted in taking over letter delivery, basically each handling half the country and interfacing with each other. At some point they were told they would have to assume the pension and benefits for the USPS employees, that broke the deal. Why destroy your company from day one?

November 18 2012, 06:56 PM	#11
wissaboo Captain Location: canada	Re: What if the U.S. govn't permanently got rid of the U.S. Post Servi the postal services are going broke because people don't need them anymore. So not much would happen. Canada post went on strike last year. No one noticed.

November 18 2012, 07:16 PM	#13
T'Girl Vice Admiral	Re: What if the U.S. govn't permanently got rid of the U.S. Post Servi If the USPS stopped receiving any federal money, does anyone know about how much postage would have to be for the post office to continue? Operating costs, benefits, pensions, etc.?