The problem with privatization that no one addresses is that any firm that takes over this operation is going to be hamstrung by its mandate. The Post Office is obligated by law to deliver mail, which is considered a necessary public service. As such, it's not a profitable enterprise. How would a private firm make this profitable? Other countries that have tried this have not had much success.

 

I suppose you could make the case that with the growth of technology that there's no use for a traditional postal service. Most of this communication can be handled electronically and it's getting closer to the point (yet not quite there) where everyone has access to this technology. But, then you have to contend with a massive layoff of all postal workers. That would have quite an impact on our economy and aid systems.

It has always seemed to me they are crippled by laws created back in America's earlier years. They may need to look at changing their stance of it being a public service.

The problem with privatization that no one addresses is that any firm that takes over this operation is going to be hamstrung by its mandate. The Post Office is obligated by law to deliver mail, which is considered a necessary public service. As such, it's not a profitable enterprise. How would a private firm make this profitable? Other countries that have tried this have not had much success.

 

I suppose you could make the case that with the growth of technology that there's no use for a traditional postal service. Most of this communication can be handled electronically and it's getting closer to the point (yet not quite there) where everyone has access to this technology. But, then you have to contend with a massive layoff of all postal workers. That would have quite an impact on our economy and aid systems.

 

Good point. I understand this, but they would not have to shovel money into government pensions. A company would combine regular mail with the business that is already being done by the company. The private sector either turns a profit or goes out of business.

I keep hearing about government pensions for the post office,,,,they have a 401k like the private sector. The post office needs to go to a 5 day delivery, remove the 75 year funding of the health care mandate and it would be ok for the short term. For the long term they need a new business model and union concessions to make it more efficient. As for their error rate, I deal with every freight company around the world and there are some good ones and bad ones and I would rate the US Post Office as better than the average and way below the average on cost.

Also, if the Post Office went private I would venture to guess that more tax dollars would be spent on subsidies than what is coming out of the general fund now.

75 year funding of the health care mandate [/b]QUOTE]

Wouldn't this be considered part of a pension?

So what you are saying is your wife doesn't get the Victoria Secrets or Venus catalogues?

 

I wish!!! I need some good bathroom reading material. :lol::lol::lol:

I do love the fact that there is a post office in Wilmore, KY. Its convenient for sure when I need to mail a package. But its not even in downtown Wilmore. Its in the back of a convenient store that is literally at the corner of the a 4 way stop off of 169 between US68 and SR33. It is staffed everyday, except for lunch. I always just walk right up. No line - ever. The person working there has to be bored most days. It can not be cost effective. Fedex or UPS certainly do not have location anywhere near this place. Maybe it feather in some politicians hat to keep it open but it has no business being there.

 

Just an example of incredible waste. And maybe a good chuck of that waste is driven by politicians who what to keep offices like this open to gain local votes.

I do love the fact that there is a post office in Wilmore, KY. Its convenient for sure when I need to mail a package. But its not even in downtown Wilmore. Its in the back of a convenient store that is literally at the corner of the a 4 way stop off of 169 between US68 and SR33. It is staffed everyday, except for lunch. I always just walk right up. No line - ever. The person working there has to be bored most days. It can not be cost effective. Fedex or UPS certainly do not have location anywhere near this place. Maybe it feather in some politicians hat to keep it open but it has no business being there.

 

Just an example of incredible waste. And maybe a good chuck of that waste is driven by politicians who what to keep offices like this open to gain local votes.

 

The private companies pick up the package at your house, you can buy stamps at many ATM's

I do love the fact that there is a post office in Wilmore, KY. Its convenient for sure when I need to mail a package. But its not even in downtown Wilmore. Its in the back of a convenient store that is literally at the corner of the a 4 way stop off of 169 between US68 and SR33. It is staffed everyday, except for lunch. I always just walk right up. No line - ever. The person working there has to be bored most days. It can not be cost effective. Fedex or UPS certainly do not have location anywhere near this place. Maybe it feather in some politicians hat to keep it open but it has no business being there.

 

Just an example of incredible waste. And maybe a good chuck of that waste is driven by politicians who what to keep offices like this open to gain local votes.

 

The post office in Wilmore is on Main Street.

The post office in Wilmore is on Main Street.

 

Wilmore does have its own. Never us it since Keene is closer - and never a line. So sorry about that.

 

So Jessamine County has 3 staffed full service Post Offices. That would translate into the Post Office having around 300 to 400 or so staffed locations in Kentucky?