Future of the Postal Service?

[TROKyle]

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/03/us/03postal.html?hp
thoughts?

[saysmydoctor]

USPS needs to adapt. :shrug:

[Jake Gyllenhaal]

I thought Ben Gibbard said there are no plans for putting out new material.

J/K!!!!!!!!!

But yea, taking away Saturday seems reasonable to cut costs. Like the above poster said, they need to adapt.

[perceptrons]

Not a fan of the day chosen. I'd rather they cut out a random middle day then make it two days without mail.

[nicwtor]

Not a fan of the day chosen. I'd rather they cut out a random middle day then make it two days without mail.

I didn't read the article so I don't know if they gave a reason but I think Saturday is a good day to cut out because it's not a "business day" in terms of shipping and such. I don't know. It makes sense to me.

[zachff]

Not a fan of the day chosen. I'd rather they cut out a random middle day then make it two days without mail.

...?
I'm hoping you're just saying that without realizing that they can't cut a business day.

[zachff]

If USPS wants to survive their best bet is privatization. There are too many factors working against them now.

[ActionActionFan]

The government should privatize it.

[cwhit412]

I totally assumed it was about the band.
Congrats to the OP.

[Loyaltabk]

thought this would be about Ben's music

[Machu505]

My mom is a postal worker. I'll get her opinion on things later.

[whenyourearound]

I don't necessarily think its a good idea, but they gotta do whats best for the service.

[TROKyle]

...?
I'm hoping you're just saying that without realizing that they can't cut a business day.

I would agree with this point, but the article speculates that maybe Saturday's is just the start to cutting days...

“I think it will be the beginning of the demise of the postal service,” William Burrus, the president of the American Postal Workers Union, referring to the erosion of customer confidence. “They’ve already made a lot of cost savings, a lot on the backs on my union, which we understand. But what’s the next step? Do you go to four days a week, three days? Once you establish the financial problems, it’s never-ending.”


I can agree with Burrus, maybe the resolution is cutting Saturdays, but when another financial problem arises...cut fridays? Seems like it could be a cycle in essence.

[Smash Adams]

If USPS wants to survive their best bet is privatization. There are too many factors working against them now.

The government should privatize it.
That's socialism guys, this isn't Canada

[zachff]

I would agree with this point, but the article speculates that maybe Saturday's is just the start to cutting days...

“I think it will be the beginning of the demise of the postal service,” William Burrus, the president of the American Postal Workers Union, referring to the erosion of customer confidence. “They’ve already made a lot of cost savings, a lot on the backs on my union, which we understand. But what’s the next step? Do you go to four days a week, three days? Once you establish the financial problems, it’s never-ending.”


I can agree with Burrus, maybe the resolution is cutting Saturdays, but when another financial problem arises...cut fridays? Seems like it could be a cycle in essence.

I mean, this guy is going to say anything to gather publicity for the APW Union -- they're the ones getting hit hardest by this. Obviously cutting Saturday is a different story than cutting a weekday, regardless of what that guy wants to say 99% of businesses don't rely on Saturday mail delivery. There would be a lot of measures taken taken before cutting another weekday: lowering wages, eliminating underperforming branches, making carriers work longer routes, raising postage rates, etc

[perceptrons]

...?
I'm hoping you're just saying that without realizing that they can't cut a business day.
I didn't think about it, no. Oh well.

[TROKyle]

That's socialism guys, this isn't Canada

Joking?

[TROKyle]

I mean, this guy is going to say anything to gather publicity for the APW Union -- they're the ones getting hit hardest by this. Obviously cutting Saturday is a different story than cutting a weekday, regardless of what that guy wants to say 99% of businesses don't rely on Saturday mail delivery. There would be a lot of measures taken taken before cutting another weekday: lowering wages, eliminating underperforming branches, making carriers work longer routes, raising postage rates, etc

Yeah, I agree.
But after these measures are taken to the fullest extent, potentially there is still a debt. They may work at first, but the debt might come back after a couple years.
You can only cut wages and increase hours/rates so much.
The potential of cutting weekdays shouldn't be overlooked IMO; not anytime soon though I would think.

[zachff]

That's socialism guys, this isn't Canada

...

[Smash Adams]

Joking?
:shhh::nod:

[xshady121]

Did anyone make an Owl City joke yet?

[GeeBee]

If USPS wants to survive their best bet is privatization. There are too many factors working against them now.

I'll echo the call for privatization.

[troubledbyinsects]

Did anyone make an Owl City joke yet?
the thread title should be Future of Owl City

cuz they're like the same band as postal service

rite.

[TROKyle]

:shhh::nod:

Its okay, I won't tell anyone.
I almost took the dramatic troll-like route, but I figured I would be more subtle and humane.
=D

[ImTheSheriff]

fedex does their job better.

[saysmydoctor]

Privatizing it is the worst idea because then they would have to pay taxes (and considering they are struggling now--well, just imagine suddenly becoming unsubsidized while you're already struggling to cover your costs). Considering how many people they have employed to them, I don't think I need to explain the ripple effects that would have.

[saysmydoctor]

fedex does their job better.
Yeah, they can send a letter across the country in a short period of time for 44 cents. The Postal Service provides a incredible cheap and generally reliable service in an environmentally friendly way.

[Machu505]

Yeah, they can send a letter across the country in a short period of time for 44 cents. The Postal Service provides a incredible cheap and generally reliable service in an environmentally friendly way.
I like to think of it as the public option of mail.

[live.]

I love the mail.

[flask]

:shhh::nod:



Your joke


People's heads.

[caveBEAR]

I plan on hiring an ex-Postal Service worker to sit at my desk and dictate my e-mails.

[timb89]

thought this would be about Ben's music

same :(

[<*)))><]

And another example of how goverment fails, people who want big goverment just look at this. Hint hint Obama

[xshady121]

As a constitutionalist and a "small government" person, I think it's quite irresponsible on anyones part to call the postal service a failure.

[caveBEAR]

And another example of how goverment fails, people who want big goverment just look at this. Hint hint Obama

Yeah, the Postal Services failure had nothing to do with a shift in technology and lifestyle, it just has to do with Americans overwhelming resistance to big government. :rolleyes:

[Hagysaurus Rex]

That's socialism guys, this isn't Canada

At first I was concerned, then I lol'd all over the place.

[<*)))><]

Yeah, the Postal Services failure had nothing to do with a shift in technology and lifestyle, it just has to do with Americans overwhelming resistance to big government. :rolleyes:
If it was a corparation they would changed to meet what the market.

[caveBEAR]

If it was a corparation they would changed to meet what the market.

Maybe, you'll never know that for sure, but companies all over are reeling from the turn to digital from physical.

[<*)))><]

Maybe, you'll never know that for sure, but companies all over are reeling from the turn to digital from physical.
Well I can almost garentee because if they couldnt make it work then they would go out of business and not get subsidied by the goverment. Almost most likely wouldn't have unions which never work, at least for the corpation but the people make out like bandits.

[caveBEAR]

Well I can almost garentee because if they couldnt make it work then they would go out of business and not get subsidied by the goverment. Almost most likely wouldn't have unions which never work, at least for the corpation but the people make out like bandits.

The Postal Service, however, isn't a corporation, it is part of the Federal Government, and therefore is subsidized by the Government. This isn't GM or Wall Street, the Postal Service has always been a part of the government. I really don't see the point you're trying to make here.

[<*)))><]

The Postal Service, however, isn't a corporation, it is part of the Federal Government, and therefore is subsidized by the Government. This isn't GM or Wall Street, the Postal Service has always been a part of the government. I really don't see the point you're trying to make here.
Companys like UPS is able to make a profit so why not the USPS?

[xshady121]

UPS doesn't deliver mail specifically, they specialize in packages. Also, their prices are ridiculously outrageous.

[<*)))><]

UPS doesn't deliver mail specifically, they specialize in packages. Also, their prices are ridiculously outrageous.
Both in the delivery market and if they charge what they need to make money.

[caveBEAR]

Companys like UPS is able to make a profit so why not the USPS?

The Postal Service is the cheapest and most efficient way to send letter mail and small packages.

[<*)))><]

The Postal Service is the cheapest and most efficient way to send letter mail and small packages.
Can't argue with cheapest but the problem is they can't keep going with the prices they have or without a shrinking production. So I could easy food cheaper then the supermarkets but I would lose to much contuine.

[caveBEAR]

Can't argue with cheapest but the problem is they can't keep going with the prices they have or without a shrinking production. So I could easy food cheaper then the supermarkets but I would lose to much contuine.

If you're going to try to make a real, coherent point...at least take the time to proof-read what you wrote and make sure it has some sensibility to it.

[<*)))><]

If you're going to try to make a real, coherent point...at least take the time to proof-read what you wrote and make sure it has some sensibility to it.
I completely fail without spell check.

[caveBEAR]

I completely fail without spell check.

No;

So I could easy food cheaper then the supermarkets but I would lose to much contuine.

That's not a coherent sentence. I assume the point you are trying to make is somewhere in there, but I can't pull it out.

[<*)))><]

I could easily sell food cheaper then the supermarkets but I would lose much much money. Then I would go out of business...

[caveBEAR]

I could easily sell food cheaper then the supermarkets but I would lose much much money. Then I would go out of business...

Do you really think this had any correlation whatsoever to the Postal Service vs. UPS/Fed-Ex? Because apples to oranges doesn't even begin to explain the situation...

[<*)))><]

Do you really think this had any correlation whatsoever to the Postal Service vs. UPS/Fed-Ex? Because apples to oranges doesn't even begin to explain the situation...
I think it is more comparing Fuji apples to red delicious apples.

[wrppdarndyrfngr]

I think it is more comparing Fuji apples to red delicious apples.

Mail is not the same as Shipping.

UPS/FedEx are shipping companies. They do not send mail. They send packages. FedEx send packages internationally. This is now they make money. Demand for MAIL (Postal Service) has decreased (from mostly technological and cultural reasons), demand for Shipping, especially International, is still high and fairly inelastic (meaning probably never going to drop). This is why even though it seems easy to compare the Postal Service with UPS/FedEx it is not.

[<*)))><]

Mail is not the same as Shipping.

UPS/FedEx are shipping companies. They do not send mail. They send packages. FedEx send packages internationally. This is now they make money. Demand for MAIL (Postal Service) has decreased (from mostly technological and cultural reasons), demand for Shipping, especially International, is still high and fairly inelastic (meaning probably never going to drop). This is why even though it seems easy to compare the Postal Service with UPS/FedEx it is not.
Good point but I think for the postal service sake they gotta get rid of the unions.

[saysmydoctor]

Both in the delivery market and if they charge what they need to make money.
What do you mean both? They can't deliver 'letter' mail or such correspondence. Only packages. It's a legalized monopoly granted to it by the Constitution.

[<*)))><]

What do you mean both? They can't deliver 'letter' mail or such correspondence. Only packages. It's a legalized monopoly granted to it by the Constitution.
But they can deliever packages.

[caveBEAR]

But they can deliever packages.

The Postal Service are the only ones who are allowed to mail letters. Everybody can send packages. You could open up your own package delivering business if you wanted to.

[saysmydoctor]

But they can deliever packages.
And the private companies charge outrageous prices while the government offers a cheap alternative.

[<*)))><]

And the private companies charge outrageous prices while the government offers a cheap alternative.
But the goverment loses money.

[saysmydoctor]

But the goverment loses money.
And we have to turn to the market, where we have to spend more money when we could just increase our subsidizing of the cheaper and more efficient one.

[Smash Adams]

The Postal Service are the only ones who are allowed to mail letters. Everybody can send packages. You could open up your own package delivering business if you wanted to.
What if I send a package that's just a box filled with letters? I just beat the system

[<*)))><]

And we have to turn to the market, where we have to spend more money when we could just increase our subsidizing of the cheaper and more efficient one.
How is effcient is subsidized?

[caveBEAR]

What if I send a package that's just a box filled with letters? I just beat the system

Can't fight City Hall, but you can shit on the steps! ;-)

[caveBEAR]

All your base are belong to us!

[xshady121]

I always wanted to know, if I put my address on my shoe, and put the shoe in a mailbox, will they mail it back to me?

I mean, of course i'd put a stamp on it. But still.

[saysmydoctor]

How is effcient is subsidized?
Construct a proper fucking sentence and get back to me.

[<*)))><]

I always wanted to know, if I put my address on my shoe, and put the shoe in a mailbox, will they mail it back to me?

I mean, of course i'd put a stamp on it. But still.
Why not try it?
I always wonder if you are mailing something local could you just put the adress in the return part and save yourself a stamp.

[<*)))><]

Construct a proper fucking sentence and get back to me.
How effcient if it is subsidized?

[xshady121]

Why not try it?
I always wonder if you are mailing something local could you just put the adress in the return part and save yourself a stamp.

Local? I Do that shit across new england.

[saysmydoctor]

How effcient if it is subsidized?
Government programs are renowned for running cheaper, with less overhead and administration costs, not to mention it's not operating for profit, but the public good.

[<*)))><]

Local? I Do that shit across new england.
Really then why doesn't every just do that. I assumed local because it would go to post office and they wouldn't really have to sent it out.
Government programs are renowned for running cheaper, with less overhead and administration costs, not to mention it's not operating for profit, but the public good.
No they actually have more overhead and administration cost not to mention less effiencent. Lets take forexample the Tappen Zee bridge goverment said they can rebuild it for about 4billion while a private firm said they could do the project for a little more then half 2.3billion. With goverment it has to go over about 5 years of politition changing, most likely adding more money and useless. Then they have Union workers which make about $7 dollars more per hour and lets not forget benfits. Then they also less effiencent because the longer you been working the less you work. Although it is for the public just cost a lot of money that could be spent else were. Oh lets not forget who subsized the Postal Service, it is our good old goverment and lets not forget who they the money from, us. So if they took less out in taxes it would most likely be cheaper to pay for the private sector.

[saysmydoctor]

Really then why doesn't every just do that. I assumed local because it would go to post office and they wouldn't really have to sent it out.

No they actually have more overhead and administration cost not to mention less effiencent.Lets take forexample the Tappen Zee bridge goverment said they can rebuild it for about 4billion while a private firm said they could do the project for a little more then half 2.3billion. With goverment it has to go over about 5 years of politition changing, most likely adding more money and useless. Then they have Union workers which make about $7 dollars more per hour and lets not forget benfits. Then they also less effiencent because the longer you been working the less you work. Although it is for the public just cost a lot of money that could be spent else were. Oh lets not forget who subsized the Postal Service, it is our good old goverment and lets not forget who they the money from, us. So if they took less out in taxes it would most likely be cheaper to pay for the private sector.
Intrinsically false. Not even worth debating this, it's just wrong.

THE GOVERNMENT DOESN'T OPERATE FOR PROFIT. The savings are obvious.

[<*)))><]

Intrinsically false. Not even worth debating this, it's just wrong.

THE GOVERNMENT DOESN'T OPERATE FOR PROFIT. The savings are obvious.
Yeah it operates for a loss because it spends more then what is needed.

[saysmydoctor]

Yeah it operates for a loss because it spends more then what is needed.
Or because it needs to adapt to physical to digital switch (in the case of the USPS)? You don't even know what you are talking about.

[deFobbed14yrs]

i do my part, i ship textbooks that ppl buy off me via postal service all the tine, so much cheaper than the UPS store across the street from campus.
And i mail out letters to my friends all the time :-d

[xshady121]

I like getting hand written letters. Or postcards.

I write letters all the time though. Much more personal than electronic means.

[deFobbed14yrs]

I like getting hand written letters. Or postcards.

I write letters all the time though. Much more personal than electronic means.


getting a letter in the mail is the best feeling

[caveBEAR]

I write letters all the time though. Much more personal than electronic means.

:squint: Who invited Grandpa into the AOL chatroom?

[xshady121]

:squint: Who invited Grandpa into the AOL chatroom?

AOL? Right back at ya.

[trindaddy]

Really then why doesn't every just do that. I assumed local because it would go to post office and they wouldn't really have to sent it out.

No they actually have more overhead and administration cost not to mention less effiencent. Lets take forexample the Tappen Zee bridge goverment said they can rebuild it for about 4billion while a private firm said they could do the project for a little more then half 2.3billion. With goverment it has to go over about 5 years of politition changing, most likely adding more money and useless. Then they have Union workers which make about $7 dollars more per hour and lets not forget benfits. Then they also less effiencent because the longer you been working the less you work. Although it is for the public just cost a lot of money that could be spent else were. Oh lets not forget who subsized the Postal Service, it is our good old goverment and lets not forget who they the money from, us. So if they took less out in taxes it would most likely be cheaper to pay for the private sector.

I'm going to be honest with you, if you can't even spell government or efficient, maybe you shouldn't even talk about them. Your post is dumb.

[caveBEAR]

AOL? Right back at ya.

Ha ha ha ha, well, in my defense, I was going for the most outdated internet reference I could think of.

[caveBEAR]

I'm going to be honest with you, if you can't even spell government or efficient, maybe you shouldn't even talk about them. Your post is dumb.

Wait? Obama isn't out there govering? Fuck.

[xshady121]

Ha ha ha ha, well, in my defense, I was going for the most outdated internet reference I could think of.

Did you forget about compuserve? Geesh.

[caveBEAR]

Did you forget about compuserve? Geesh.

Ha ha ha, never had it...so yes. :shrug:

[joeag1985]

That's socialism guys, this isn't Canada

Well, it is a great country in fairness.

[saysmydoctor]

I'm going to be honest with you, if you can't even spell government or efficient, maybe you shouldn't even talk about them. Your post is dumb.
Doesn't matter, he clearly doesn't understand the definition of the words either.

[Machu505]

I have Mr. Fishy here on ignore for a reason.

[kanyewong]

I thought this about the band.

Anyways, do we really still have use for the postal service? All I get is junk mail. Bills can be sent electronically. FedEx and UPS can deliver our packages.

[caveBEAR]

I thought this about the band.

Anyways, do we really still have use for the postal service? All I get is junk mail. Bills can be sent electronically. FedEx and UPS can deliver our packages.

Physical mail?

[kanyewong]

Physical mail?
all that could be delivered by email cant it?

[caveBEAR]

all that could be delivered by email cant it?

Maybe some of us want to use physical mail. Maybe some of us still believe in handwriting over font.

As well, electronic banking/bill paying requires a bank account, and bank accounts aren't required.