The United States Postal Service: A government organization that is in charge of delivering the mail, not to mention having a monopoly on delivering first-class mail and standard mail. This monopoly even designates a mailbox as government property (or subject to federal rules and regulations) even though the mailbox is on someone’s private property. The same situation applies if the homeowner had to purchase a new mailbox to put on his or her front lawn — I wonder if they can be reimbursed. But the Postal Service’s monopoly doesn’t stop there. Supposedly mail slots located on one’s door (or near it) are for the U.S. mail only.
But having a monopoly is not the only issue surrounding the Postal Service. There have been cases of items being lost in the mail. There have also been instances of items being stolen (even by postal employees). There have been instances of pets being killed by mail carriers (some deliberately, some inadvertently).
In fact, my brother’s dog was killed by a mailman a few years ago. Chip (a rat terrier) was jumping up at the mailman, who then kicked him and sent him flying across the yard. The mailman then hightailed it out of there. After my sister-in-law notified the post office, the mailman was fired, but not for what he did. He was fired for not immediately reporting the incident. We later learned that mail carriers are supposed to handle aggressive dogs by putting their mailbag between the dog and themselves, and then use pepper spray if necessary. Not only that, they have to call in the incident from that location. Meanwhile, the post office reimbursed my brother for the veterinarian’s bill, provided that he not sue them.
Then there are the Postal Service’s financial problems. Mail delivery (particularly first-class mail) has been in decline due to competition from UPS, Federal Express, DHL, etc. The economy has played a role, as has technology (email, internet, etc.), poor management, and labor costs (including unionization). So much for running it like a business, especially when it can rely on bailouts from Congress.
So what should be done? The best solution would be to privatize the Postal Service. The government could sell it at a reasonable price, which would bring in revenue and ease the taxpayers of having to support the second-largest civilian employer in America (after Wal-Mart).
In addition to its being sold to a private entity (preferably owned and operated by an American), the following changes can be made: 1) end the monopoly on delivering first-class and standard mail; 2) consolidate some of its offices if necessary; and 3) be closed on Saturdays (contrary to what Congressman Elijah Cummings said, doing so will not have a negative impact on women and minorities).
