I think the USPS has made changes to get leaner and meaner.
At this link
http://about.usps.com/future-postal-...facts-2012.pdf
The USPS reports $66 billion in revenue in 2011. In the passed 4 years, their fleet of vehilces has decreased, from 221,047 to 213,881 (3$ reduction). Their routes declined from 244,800 to 213,88 a 13% reduction.
Total career employees have gone from 663,238 to 551,570 17% reduction).
The Postal Service operates the world’s largest fleet of alternative fuel-capable vehicles — more than 44,000
— most are equipped to use ethanol. There are electric, compressed natural gas, liquid propane gas and bio-diesel
vehicles.
So with theses reductions, how can they be running in the red when they make $66 Billion in 2011? I think its time for a very thorough audit. And it needs to start at the top, not at the bottom of USPS.
I think cutting the Saturday deliveries is smart business. 1/6 reduction of operation days = 16% reduction in fleet operation costs. Abd I'd rather get a bill on a work day then ruin my Saturday anyway!
I think the next increase in postage costs ought be to bulk mailers, bulk advertizers, not to us normal folks sending first class mail. If we normal folks mailing first class have to see an increase, maybe add a nickle to make a 50 cent stamp. No more.
There ought be only ONE....first class stamp. Just a black and white little sticker that says "USPS First Class" in simple black and white. No more fancy art work or 100's of choices of custom art stamps. I mean come on, a stamp is a ticket for your letter to ride in a delivery truck, not a work of art.
The United States Postal Service (USPS), also known as the Post Office and U.S. Mail, is an independent agency of the United States government responsible for providing postal service in the United States. It is one of the few government agencies explicitly authorized by the United States Constitution.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_...Postal_Service
I have a lot of respect for the hardworking men and women of the USPS, and applaud their service to country. I do think it's time for their costs and their operatons to be audited, we have to have mail service, I don't think any of us want our tax dollars going to keep it open and running when it's supposed, by law to pay it's own way.