US Postal Services woes continue

Another increase in the rates charged by the U.S. Postal Service took effect June 30 with little, if any, outrage by the general public.

Even heavy mailers like catalog companies were rather quiet. Maybe it’s because most Americans believe that even with this latest rate increase, the work the Postal Service does is still a bargain.

Then again, what good would protest have done? The Postal Service is, after all, a regulated monopoly, albeit one facing increased competition, particularly from the Internet.

Since the USPS became a quasigovernment agency in 1971, it has been the recipient of much criticism from Congress and the general public – even though, in order to guarantee accessible, universal mail service for all Americans, it operates under encumbrances most private businesses could not handle. So as it continues to suffer falling mail volume that will result in an anticipated $1.5 billion loss this fiscal year, the American people and Congress need to reassess what they want from the agency.

Last year The Tampa Tribune and WFLA News Channel 8 commissioned a poll asking local residents what they thought of the Postal Service’s announcement that it would investigate the possibility of ending virtually all mail delivery on Saturdays and closing some post offices and facilities. A majority – 58 percent – opposed dropping Saturday delivery, but 66 percent said they didn’t want to pay more to keep it.

Such changes would require congressional approval, and if the opposition to the plan by their constituents is any indication, things will likely remain as they are.

Several members of Congress have pointed out that the Postal Service, in attempts to compete in today’s market, has ventured into areas it need not be in, such as selling phone cards. They are right because all the public expects from the agency is efficient delivery of the mail.

As volume and revenues continue to decline, however, what is expected of the agency will have to be re-examined.