Don’t mess with USPS

The USPS is under attack again for not being profitable enough. Consider this: A law was passed in 2006 that required the U.S. Postal Service to pre-fund retiree health benefits. Other federal agencies and most private sector companies use a “pay-as-you-go” system, by which the entity pays premiums as they are billed. This mandate costs the USPS $5.5 billion in additional cash flow per year through 2016. A fund was created for that prefunding which is now being borrowed from by congress since the USPS won’t need it for decades. Despite this, the Postal Service is providing universal service (delivery to any house in the U.S.) six days a week for 49 cents a letter. That’s the cheapest rate in the world.

A little known fact: Since 1971, the USPS has received no funds from the government. However, Congress still dictates almost every aspect of their operations. Bills gave been proposed (yet again) to continue door delivery (to your house or business), continue six-day delivery, and continue service standards. Congress must do the right thing and leave the USPS alone. Repeated effort to convince our Congresswoman to support the Postal Service and their employees has been fruitless. Don’t mess with the USPS.

Mike Rapp

Spokane