The interesting thing here to me is how people get captured by business models.
The post office started out as an important public service. "Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds." The post office is mentioned in the US Constitution because at the time it was immensely important.
But after enough time in bed with the junk mailers, they've abandoned all but a pretense of that. And it shows. They shifted from serving American citizens as a duty to serving American citizens on a platter. It happened inch by inch, I'm sure, but now they're trapped.
Let that be a lesson to anybody who's starting a business: choose your business model wisely, because over time it will win out over everything else.
The USPS is still important. For example, no private carrier has a Constitutional mandate to serve all Americans. They are essential for rural communities: for example, if you need medication but there's no pharmacy nearby, the USPS will deliver it to your house even if UPS and FedEx won't.
Also, the USPS kicks everyone's ass in time and cost when it comes to delivering small packages. For a 12-oz package from NY to SF, USPS delivers in 3 days for about $2 while FedEx and UPS start at ~5 days and $10.
I've also never had USPS hold a package because it got to me too quickly, and I've absolutely had commercial carriers do that to maintain artificial separation between service tiers.
Don't conflate the Universal Service Obligation with door-to-door delivery; my dad has to go to the post office to pick up his mail. Of course, he lives on the Big Island of Hawai'i so it's a small price to pay.
Arguably a bargain, but considerably more than $2.
Separately, I disagree with your implication that the USPS has an obligation to deliver to your house. Do you know what the exact law or statute is?
I'm familiar with several places where this is not true, where Fedex and UPS will deliver to the door but USPS will not. Some of these are very rural ranches in the Southwest, but others are just small towns that do not offer delivery services and instead hold all mail at the post office.
> For a 12-oz package from NY to SF, USPS delivers in 3 days for about $2 while FedEx and UPS start at ~5 days and $10.
The price comparisons aren't fair. UPS and FedEx either turn a profit or go out of business. You can see this when you compare the two groups on tracking, customer service, innovation in logistics, etc. If a business depends on paying customers who have choice, despite the disadvantages they have when compared to the USPS, they find ways to improve their services and cut costs.
Meanwhile, the USPS can tap on the government's shoulder and artificially remain in business.
Sure. Veal calves are well cared for. And I'm sure some inclination to service remains. But when it comes down to a conflict between what you need and what the junk mailers need, you'll lose.
Personally, I get less and less value from the post office. 90% of my physical mail goes immediately in to the recycle bin. At least here, they're bad at delivering packages. And my local post offices are depressing experiences: long lines, dispirited workers, grim surroundings.
I've had friendly service recently in DC, NC, NJ and VA, and flat-rate Priority mail has utterly changed my interaction with shipping things, to the point that I now no longer even have a good idea where the nearest FedEx or UPS is, and would actively prefer my packages come via USPS.
Many many people in large cities would prefer USPS for all package delivery. USPS tends to have keys to apartment building vestibules, allowing them to leave packages in secured areas instead of on a stoop.
Other businesses are also not required to pre-fund their pensions and few other businesses are not required to go to congress for a price increase.
The cost of mail has not kept up with inflation, there are some very expensive routes available for 49 cents, and they are one of the very few government services expected to be revenue neutral.
Other businesses are also not required to pre-fund their pensions...
Which has got to be the biggest scam that management and the union bosses have ever colluded to inflict on workers. "Sure, we'll pay you after you retire, just trust us! Also please don't ask too many questions about where the money's going to come from." The exceptions to this scenario occur when the workers in question are really important to Congress, e.g. auto workers' pensions were "bailed out".
Every business with a pension promise/agreement should be required by law to maintain the monies to properly fund them. Anything else is criminal negligence and/or conspiracy to commit multiple felonies via theft.
The post office started out as an important public service. "Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds." The post office is mentioned in the US Constitution because at the time it was immensely important.
But after enough time in bed with the junk mailers, they've abandoned all but a pretense of that. And it shows. They shifted from serving American citizens as a duty to serving American citizens on a platter. It happened inch by inch, I'm sure, but now they're trapped.
Let that be a lesson to anybody who's starting a business: choose your business model wisely, because over time it will win out over everything else.