The news reports are saying that, in his speech today, the U.S. Postmaster will suggest ending Saturday mail delivery and raising postage rates.
The official USPS news release is here. The Postmaster General John Potter says, “The crisis we’re facing gives us an historic opportunity to make changes that will lay the foundation for a leaner, more market responsive Postal Service that can thrive far into the future."
5 comments:
It makes me sad, but I guess I'll have to think about it as using the weekend to respond to rather than receive letters. I do think though that this would work better if the U.S. society weren't so focused on being driven through all 7 days of the week – that we actually took some time off sometime through the week to relax. Then it might not matter so much to not have mail on Saturdays and Sundays. It would just be another symbol of life's being slow during the weekend.
You know I think maybe they should choose one or the other I dont think they should cut saturday delivery and raise rates as well . I think they should do one or the other I dont think it is fair to do both and our law makers shoudl be told so .
As odd as it sounds, from someone who usually sends 100 pieces of mail a week, I'm not disappointed by the news that Saturday mail is going away or that postage will increase. We have it very good in the US with our domestic postage rates. International rates ... not so much so, but still cheaper than most countries (although the fact that we no longer have surface mail is a real loss). I want a leaner USPS. I want a USPS that is more responsive to the needs of the consumer and I think eliminating a day of delivery will make that more likely. The USPS has been stretched too thin. Actually, what I would like is more post offices in non-traditional locations like bookstores and coffee shops. But, that is a whole discussion unto itself.
Since a few federal holidays are on Mondays, it would be nice if they could eliminate Monday and let us have our Saturdays, when it is such a thrill to me to go to the mailbox when I don't have to go to work and hope to get something fun, though the bills come any day of the week. Quite a few people have a difficult time getting to a post office during the week, also.
The post offices will remain open on Saturday, though in my area the hours were cut substantially in recent years. There is talk of more franchise-type post offices, too, which means my dream of having a coffeehouse/post office could become a reality. Monday non-delivery might work for some of us mail enthusiasts, but not for businesses, especially small businesses that operate out of the home.
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