Importance of USPS

Here’s a bit of history and some current news for you. The U.S. Post Office, now the U.S. Postal Service, was created by the Second Continental Congress on July 26, 1775. It is an independent agency of the united States federal government. It also was federally funded until 1971. Since then congress has tried, and in some cases succeeded, in using the USPS as a cash cow to fund various government projects.

The budget proposed by the president for 2018 has been submitted to the U.S. House and Senate. This budget proposal calls for $46 billion in vaguely defined cuts and revenue change, suggestion higher postage rates, elimination of Saturday delivery and reduced door delivery (aka cluster boxes like you see in newer neighborhoods). Stripping revenue from the USPS will open the door to privatization. To refresh your memory about your postal service, first class letters cost 50 cents - the cheapest in the world. this rate guarantees delivery to “any” state in the country regardless of where you live.

The president has criticixed the USPS for its shipping deal with Amazon. Finally after almost two years, the senate has confirmed two members for one-year terms to the nine-member Board of Governors. Hard to run a business with a board member for two years.

After 242 years, you want to destroy them. Seriously?

I urge you to contact your representative and senators and ask them to vote against any legislation that attacks the Postal Service and their employees. Here are their local phone numbers:

U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell: (509) 353-2507

U.S. Senator Patty Murray: (509) 624-9515

Cathy McMorris Rodgers: (509) 353-2374

Mike Rapp

Spokane