Postal service provides a bargain
To the editor:
Like most people, I have a tendency to be critical of postal rate increases and lose sight of the fact they perform a very vital and necessary service for all of us, efficiently. Recent published data reports they employ 729,000 permanent employees and have a total work force of 821,000, 38 percent of which are females. We have all been the recipients of an economic, reliable, and trustworthy mail delivery system, six days a week to more than 139 million addresses nationwide, many of which are in large rural areas, individuals living in the northern woods, on islands, in small rural towns, as well as large metropolitan areas.They use commercial airlines, a fleet of large trucks, and millions of small “box” type trucks we all pass daily without notice.
Imagine the size of their fuel, insurance, and maintenance bills.
In spite of what most of us believe, Congress has the final word on postal rates and increases. Personally I think it is one of the few remaining bargains available to us. It might be wise to expand the postal authority to include the total federal budget. Congressional spending is totally out of control, to the tune of nearly $11 trillion. The U.S. Postal Agency is the only branch of the federal government that has never added even one lousy penny to our ever-growing national debt. Let’s consider putting them in charge of the federal purse strings instead of complaining about a mere $.02 postal increase.
Now the best part. Imagine, if you will, how many mothers, fathers, children, and lovers they have brought to tears of joy by delivering a holiday card or gift, as well as the happiness and excitement with the delivery of a Social Security check, a love letter, an income tax refund , or any of a multitude of bits of good news. And do not forget the fact they do this in spite of inclement weather. They are good! They are reliable and reasonable. They not only deliver mail, they deliver a lot of happiness, pleasure, and good will. They are truly ambassadors of good will. Three cheers for the postal service! Rah, Rah, Rah !!!!!!!!
Robert E. Workman
Cape Coral