End of the Post Office and Seniors

[kickysnana]

There was a lively discussion today about what would/will happen if the PO shuts down. About 1/3 have computers here, about 1/4 use them and probably only 1/8 use them for anything but email, pictures from relatives.

You still have to pay rent by check or money order. 7/8 pay bills by mail, 2/3 get prescriptions by mail, 2/3 shop by phone/mail another 1/8 like me do computer/mail.

Last month I got a rebate on groceries offer that requires certified mail to start it off.

With privatization you have no control over who sees your mail, ever. Computers are hackable.

Last year the building suggested putting in computers for residents to use who did not have computers but I brought up that they would need a tech person to keep them running, keep the software up to date and monitor usage as well as some sort of screening because just because there are Seniors here does not mean some joker will not put pornography on the computer screen and walk away, as a big joke and cause them to pull the computers int he first month. They decided it was unworkable as we are a HUD building that had owners who were philanthropists but they have past on, the last two years ago and we are now owned by a corporation and they are pulling all money out of the building that they can no money for that sort of thing and volunteers may have ulterior motives with access to passwords etc. They now take money from the soda machine and laundry driving up prices.

The Public Health Nurse who stopped by this week had no idea the Post Office was in trouble. How are we ever going to get through this mess?

[nadinbrzezinski]

1. We need to stop this

And it is union busting 101.

[Cool Logic]

2. The USPS should probably be sold to UPS or FedEx...

At least then taxpayers would not be required to underwrite the billions of $$$ in losses ever year.

[kestrel91316]

4. Like ANY other government agency, the USPS was never created with the

intention that it NOT be a service subsidized/underwritten by the US government. I want my tax dollars supporting it, just like I want my tax dollars paying for passable highways, public safety (police/fire), etc etc etc.

Do we tell fire departments they need to generate enough income to cover their costs??? I could go on forever but I'm sure you get my point.

I'm also sure you are a REPIG who doesn't give a damn.

[nadinbrzezinski]

12. Alas they are self suppirting

Zero fed funds.

[GreenPartyVoter]

14. Agreed. Keep the USPS.

[Scruffy1]

The Postal service gets no federal money.

[nadinbrzezinski]

11. You do realize they get zero federal funds right?

You really need to read up...these RW talking points are jarring.

[NutmegYankee]

15. What!? The post office is core function of Government.

It's not supposed to run a profit! Go read Article I, section 8 of the US Constitution.

[Kingofalldems]

17. Totally false

Do some reading.

[Safetykitten]

3. Some other poster had an excellent idea...

They said that the PO should:

Only deliver letters and boxes. No junk mail or or advertising shit. Streamline and raise prices a bit.

I thought that wwas a good idea. If FEDEX or UPS took over the PO that would be exactly what they would do, after crushing the unions.

[Divine Discontent]

7. I used to work for the PO, and they told us in training that junk mail was a huge part of the money

that they used to function, and they would fail without it. I dunno, but I suggest they raise prices on overnight, and even priority packaging about 25%. That should do it.

http://www.zazzle.com/republicans_2012_keeping_millions_out_of_work_bumper_sticker-128002960205017719

[Buns_of_Fire]

8. They could double the prices, and it'd STILL be cheaper.

No, I don't work for the USPS, never have, and I've even occasionally had a minor run-in or two with them -- but there's STILL no organization I trust as much to get something from Point A to Point B.

[Divine Discontent]

16. I agree. I don't trust UPS at all, and Fedex is fine, but I trust the USPS more.

I've only had things stolen when I sent them UPS. And point A to point B is without doubt, cheaper and safer with the USPS. And, yet, the extremists want to get rid of them!

[elocs]

10. "Junk mail" and advertising is the bread & butter for the USPS.

That is where they make their money, not in first class mail.

[Denninmi]

5. OK, I have an interesting question.

What about legal service? Court rules in my state, and in others where I've served legal documents on parties in court cases, require legal service by US mail if it isn't done in person. In person service is MUCH more expensive, obviously. Service can be by first class mail in some circumstances, and must be by certified mail with return receipt.

So, what happens when the post office isn't there? Does that mean we have to do all service in person, which will add dramatically to court costs in some cases.

[Auntie Bush]

6. How will we mail Xmas cards and how expensive would it be if owned by a private co,?

[CTyankee]

9. I cannot see this happening now. You would risk an economic tsunami

of major proportion at a risky time. I think Congress will be forced to cough up the necessary funds now and make some pretty damn fast changes in our mail systems...what I don't understand is why people are alluva sudden "surprised." What, nobody saw this coming...?

[nadinbrzezinski]

13. The USPS has been warning of this since 2006

When they were forced to prefund retirees 75 years into the future. Well laid trap by Delay.