The Post Office

[barfo]

So the USPS appears to be in even worse shape than usual.

What do you think should be done? Fund it? Close it down? Sell it to UPS or Fedex or the Chinese?

For me, I'd be ok with getting mail just once a week. There's never anything urgent in snail mail anymore. Don't know how much that would save, though.

I guess I wouldn't miss it much in the unlikely event it does go out of business entirely.

Has any other country in the world eliminated their postal service? What would happen if someone in the UK mailed a letter to the US? Return to sender, country has no post office?

barfo

 

[BrianFromWA]

I wouldn't know. I send all my money to Nigerian bankers and lawyers via Western Union. It's never been returned, though!

 

[SlyPokerDog]

Paper, envelopes and stamps should all be made out of hemp.

 

[barfo]

You might be on to something there. What if the post office got a franchise for delivering medical marijuana? That could keep them in business.

barfo

 

[BLAZER PROPHET]

I've favored receiving mail 3 times per week or privatizing the mail service. However, due to dire need for mail service, if a unionized company(s) are handling it, they may not strike.

 

[blazerboy30]

I'd like to better understand why UPS and Fedex can make profits, yet the USPS is doing so terribly.

 

[EL PRESIDENTE]

I'd like to better understand why UPS and Fedex can make profits, yet the USPS is doing so terribly.

they charge you $20 to mail a letter?

 

[The_Lillard_King]

The USPS has never had it easy; rules and regulations have long dictated how the service can charge and handle everyday business. As such, this has crippled the company's ability to make a steady profit.

When the likes of UPS and FedEx can charge whatever they want, it immediately gives USPS a disadvantage.

(Copied from something I read)

 

[BLAZER PROPHET]

I'd like to better understand why UPS and Fedex can make profits, yet the USPS is doing so terribly.

Part of it might be personnel costs. About 15 years ago when I had a friend who was retiring from the Navy Reserves. He was in his early 50's and had also been working for the USPS for about 30 years. At that time he was making well over $70K per year as a letter carrier and had close to 2 months off per year paid. Add to that he was to get his USNR retirement pay and then he planned in retiring at 59 for his SS money in addition to his federal pension. They call it triple dipping.

 

[huevonkiller]

Part of it might be personnel costs. About 15 years ago when I had a friend who was retiring from the Navy Reserves. He was in his early 50's and had also been working for the USPS for about 30 years. At that time he was making well over $70K per year as a letter carrier and had close to 2 months off per year paid. Add to that he was to get his USNR retirement pay and then he planned in retiring at 59 for his SS money in addition to his federal pension. They call it triple dipping.

Man that guy should get fired, this government has no backbone.

 

[SlyPokerDog]

Man that guy should get fired, this government has no backbone.

We should fire a guy who has worked the same job for 30 years and has served his country for 20 years?

He didn't set his rate of pay, he is just using the benefits available to him in the jobs he's worked. He has done nothing wrong.

 

[julius]

We should fire a guy who has worked the same job for 30 years and has served his country for 20 years?

He didn't set his rate of pay, he is just using the benefits available to him in the jobs he's worked. He has done nothing wrong.

Agreed. It's not like he cheated, or did something immoral, unethical or wrong. More power to him.

 

[huevonkiller]

We should fire a guy who has worked the same job for 30 years and has served his country for 20 years?

He didn't set his rate of pay, he is just using the benefits available to him in the jobs he's worked. He has done nothing wrong.

Bad advice on a lot of levels.

He's in the public sector, that means we're paying for his stupid benefits. Second you have forgotten why people get fired, this is completely valid. And lastly the USPS is a terribly run SOE, it makes no difference to me that he legally leeched off us.

If possible he will legally get his ass canned or his pension will be altered, and we will all be happier in the long run.

 

[julius]

Bad advice on a lot of levels.

He's in the public sector, that means we're paying for his stupid benefits. Second you have forgotten why people get fired, this is completely valid. And lastly the USPS is a terribly run SOE, it makes no difference to me that he legally leeched off us.

If possible he will legally get his ass canned or his pension will be altered, and we will all be happier in the long run.

so basically you're advocating firing people for not doing anything illegal?

what exactly did he do illegal here? He worked for the government (military) and then retired, and then worked for the post office.

Is it illegal (in your world) to work after you've retired?

 

[huevonkiller]

so basically you're advocating firing people for not doing anything illegal?

what exactly did he do illegal here? He worked for the government (military) and then retired, and then worked for the post office.

Is it illegal (in your world) to work after you've retired?

What exactly is illegal about firing workers?

This is a free world and you get fired sometimes.

 

[julius]

What exactly is illegal about firing workers?

We live in a democracy, sorry.

So let me get this straight. you're proposing that this guy gets fired because he worked hard, earned his retirements and did what he was supposed to do and did nothing illegal in doing so?

Nice. let's fuck people over who worked hard for 30 + years AND served his country.

That'll surely make more people want to work for you.

 

[huevonkiller]

So let me get this straight. you're proposing that this guy gets fired because he worked hard, earned his retirement and did what he was supposed to do?

Nice. let's fuck people over who worked hard for 30 + years AND served his country.

Why does he deserve 70 K a year? Lol wtf are you rambling about?

 

[julius]

Why does he deserve 70 K a year? Lol wtf are you rambling about?

why doesn't he deserve that? he didn't do anything illegal to get it.

I seriously wonder if you have some kind of disability that makes it so you don't make any sense.

 

[huevonkiller]

why doesn't he deserve that? he didn't do anything illegal to get it.

I seriously wonder if you have some kind of disability that makes it so you don't make any sense.

No one is talking about the Navy Reserves, you are rambling on and on now.

"$70K per year as a letter carrier and had close to 2 months off per year paid. "

Yes as a letter carrier, why does he deserve 70 K a year for that, and working for an inferior enterprise that costs us billions of dollars? You're greedy dude.

 

[Haakzilla]

Paper, envelopes and stamps should all be made out of hemp.

...along with a lot of other useful textiles! See "The Emperor Wears No Clothes" for more details

 

[julius]

No one is talking about the Navy Reserves, you are rambling on and on now.

"$70K per year as a letter carrier and had close to 2 months off per year paid. "

Yes as a letter carrier, why does he deserve 70 K a year for that, and working for an inferior enterprise that costs us billions of dollars? You're greedy dude.

that's not why it costs us billions. firing him for making 70K a year (which A: I bet is inflated and B: probably not what he actually said but it makes for a better anecdotal story) is stupid.

 

[huevonkiller]

So now you're embarrassed he made 70 K? I know right, it is a ridiculous figure.

that's not why it costs us billions. firing him for making 70K a year (which A: I bet is inflated and B: probably not what he actually said but it makes for a better anecdotal story) is stupid.

Ah really, it isn't? You clearly don't understand the purpose of public unions then. And the role of the taxpayer.

Also what is it with this double-standard about legality? His 30 years of service was completely greedy. Now his ilk will get fired.

 

[Natebishop3]

It's not the letter carriers fault that he makes good money doing his job, it's the governments fault for paying so much and giving such good benefits.

 

[speeds]

This thread hurts my brain.

 

[BrianFromWA]

70k AND a Navy Reserve pension? That greedy mutherfucka's RICH! Take away all of his pension and benefits. Then tax him higher. Baby Man can't work and needs government checks.

 

[julius]

So now you're embarrassed he made 70 K? I know right, it is a ridiculous figure.

Now I'm convinced this disability also hampers your ability to understand what people say. Because I said, nor implied, such a thing.

Ah really, it isn't? You clearly don't understand the purpose of public unions then. And the role of the taxpayer.

Also what is it with this double-standard about legality? His 30 years of service was completely greedy. Now his ilk will get fired.

huh? how is working being greedy?

 

[3RA1N1AC]

letter carriers are the sex servants of the wealthy bourgeois housewife, faithfully inserting oversized packages into ornate receptacles with a smile

 

[3RA1N1AC]

and yes! how dare he work his whole life and get raises along the way! fire him!!!

 

[Natebishop3]

and yes! how dare he work his whole life and get raises along the way! fire him!!!

Well, I guess that's one way to conduct business... fire the guy who makes the most money and bring in a young college kid who makes 12 bucks an hour.

 

[3RA1N1AC]

Well, I guess that's one way to conduct business... fire the guy who makes the most money and bring in a young college kid who makes 12 bucks an hour.

but unions suck! free market! maybe they would save money if they flew the mail to mexico, had it sorted there for $10 a day, and flown back here?, or maybe prison labor! hooray! capitalism rocks