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Take a look at the how the USPS has evolved since its beginning.
NEW YORK -- The United States Postal Service says Americans have already voted with their wallets about the decision to cut delivery of first-class mail on Saturdays: package deliveries are up, but letter volume has dropped off a cliff, a victim of our growing reliance on email and social media.
But you wouldn’t know that from the reaction of customers at a Manhattan post office Wednesday. Whether because they perceive the new delivery schedule to be an inconvenience or because they feel like they've lost another vital service during tough economic times, people still want their Saturday mail.
For Hela Borer, who dropped by a USPS branch on the Upper West Side shortly after the news broke, the move is a raw deal for Americans who work long or unusual shifts on weekdays. Borer, who didn't specify what she did for a living but said she works "crazy hours" Monday through Friday, argued she has little opportunity to send or read letters before the end of the business week.
"I never get a chance to look over my mail," Borer said. "If they don't deliver on Saturday, they just lost one customer."
A totally unscientific online poll by NBC News shows something different, however. About 62 percent of the respondents say they could not care less if the postman showed up at their mailbox on Saturday. Emails and Facebook messages don't take a day off, after all.
Even though Borer can use Saturdays to sort through mail that's accumulated over the previous five days, the new delivery schedule irks her.
Isaac Pontier said that USPS's plan is a major inconvenience for people who look forward to snail mail correspondence during weekends, no matter the pervasiveness of digital communication tools.
"It's just not okay. It's just not fair for people like me," Pontier said. "The weekends are the only days I have off!"
Patrick R. Donahoe, postmaster general and CEO, said at a Wednesday morning news conference that the agency will continue to deliver packages, mail-order medicine and express mail on Saturdays. But letters, bills, cards, and catalogs won't get to their recipients until Monday.
"The Postal Service is advancing an important new approach to delivery that reflects the strong growth of our package business and responds to the financial realities resulting from America's changing mailing habits," Donahoe said at the conference.
The cost-cutting move is slated to save the cash-strapped agency $2 billion a year.
Savings or not, Sharon Lynch said she was "incredibly disappointed" with the new delivery policy, which is scheduled to take effect in August.
"Every time I come to use the post office, I hear they're taking away a service," Lynch said at New York City's historic James Farley Post Office.
Tamiko Bell-Bacchus, 37, struck a more mournful note on her way out of the city landmark.
"Everyone grows up with mail delivery. It's so commonplace," Bell-Bacchus said. "But I guess now that most people use email and everything is electronic, the post office has become the dinosaur of our age."
The whole argument may be moot, though, if Congress doesn't agree to the change. It's not clear whether the USPS can unilaterally change its delivery schedule. Donahoe said he feels that the agency, which is independent but overseen by Congress, can get lawmakers to approve the changes.
"We think we are on good footing with this," he said.
Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe announced a major Postal Service operational restructuring change that eliminates delivery of letters, bills, cards and catalogs on Saturdays. However, packages, mail-order medicine, and express mail will continue to be delivered on the sixth day.
Leave a Comment:
Those who want Saturday delivery should be taxed for that service. I would be happy if the mail was delivered once a week.
Man- I completely agree! Once a week would be absolutely fine. I only go to my mail box once a week anyways. haha! And that stack of paper all gets thrown away in about 20 seconds.
IF the Postal Service Managers want to really cut costs, they should eliminate ALL stamps except for ONE. Printing ALL the various stamps just for collectors is beyond comprehension.
And, they should get out of their recently generated "GREETING CARD" business when they are losing MILLIONS of dollars each and every quarter.
Then, maybe they should also look at terminating the extreme relocation costs provided to their "executives", not to mention the Cadillac Health Care plan for ALL employees. Wait a minute.....here comes the SEIU.
Bottom line: delivery only on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. And if that doesn't work, ONLY ON WEDNESDAYS.
It's about time. Actually Monday - Wednesday - Friday would be fine with me. Maybe there would need to be specific commercial districts with delivery every week day.
This is a problem for people who live paycheck to paycheck. Oftentimes, they can't make time for a post office visit every week. And they use the postal service to pay bills. And utility companies are absolutely known for their kindness, compassion, and leniency when it comes to paying your bills a few days late (/snark).
I doubt most people on this website use USPS much. We have online bill-paying, email, etc. But, for those who can't afford a computer, or the internet, or simply can't use the technology (yes, they do exist, I've met many), this could be a serious drag.
If they're going to go through with this, maybe they could take up some kind of late-delivery bill forgiveness with the companies that would otherwise cut off service to people immediately. Or something, at least, to help out these people.
As for the people waiting for snail mail letters, meh. Little Johnny's not going to grow 3 inches overnight. A day or two late may be an annoyance, but it's not that big a deal.
Uh, ldo, the Post Office *makes* money off of collectible stamps... That is not the problem - their labor costs (wages, benefits) are way too high. And the high cost of gas hurts them as well.
Disagree with some of the comments above. I do as much shopping online as possible to save time and money. I also sell online on both Amazon and Ebay. I need package deliveries every single day of the week if possible!
UPS is not an option. Ever tried to ship a book or dvd or anything via UPS? It's an arm and leg. Nothing can beat USPS media mail.
I'm glad packages will still go thru on Saturdays.
Oops, double post!
Of COURSE Democrats are against cutting this. They won't be happy until we're 100 T in debt and the dollar is worth less than a grain of wheat. Thanks Democrats for ruining our country! Not that Republicans are that much better. Libertarians like RON PAUL were/are our ONLY hope for future prosperity.
I think the problem is we aren't charging what it really cost. Personal letters may have stopped but the one thing that hasn't stopped is junk mail and catalogs. I think that they aren't being charged what it really cost. I think were paying taxes for the post office and bussiness are getting almost a free ride. Start charging them what it really cost. In the UK it cost about $1 per letter. Thats fine with me. I'm fine paying that for my letters.
Actually a lot of catalogs have stopped. They are expensive to produce and print, and heavy (and expensive) to ship. As more and more people go online to buy, the website has replaced the catalog (there's a reason we don't get the sears catalog anymore).
My biggest problem is that cutting Saturday delivery puts two days in a row with no delivery, meaning that Mondays will be extra heavy for delivery (essentially three days worth of mail delivered on one day). Perhaps they should look at cutting a different day instead. I know it doesn't work for business, but it would help level the load....
@toastedrebel- you are being delusional. What you are asking for is more subsidized (e.g. FREE) mail delivery, something who's time has come to an end. The reason UPS is so much more expensive is they are charging you the actual cost of delivering your package, which the USPS is not. We the American people cannot continue to provide subsized discount delivery service just b/c you want it every single day of the week. If you are really in business then you understand the cost of business, if this is just a hobby for you then either be happy with it or find something else to do with OUR money.
Once a week delivery is fine. I'll go one further. I am happy to pick the mail up at the post office once a week...no reason someone has to deliver it to me. It's not like I don't pass a post office often enough.
Reduced rate for self pick up, higher rate for once per week delivery, and even higher rate for 5 day a week delivery. This provides bulk discounts on the delivery...same as post office provides bulk delivery discounts for senders.
Besides, I am happy to have all merchants send me e-invoices and to pay online. The rest of the mail?? I can live without catalogs, just mail, magazines. What I can't find in the magazine rack, library, or online...I can live without.
Ah Stu. You may want to look into this a little further. Our taxes do NOT support the USPS. But Congress gets to set the rules? That's pretty dumb. For all of you that still want Saturday delivery, spare me please. That's the day the junk mail usually comes. I get nothing else but that on Saturday's. And the woman in the article bemoaning they may do away with that day saying they just lost a customer. Are you kidding me. Your problem of not having the time to read your mail until Saturday is a personal one. To me, it's a no brainer. They're losing a ton of money now. This can only help. And maybe they need to charge by the distance the mail needs to go. Charging 47 cents to mail a letter form one coast to the other is damned cheap.
It's about time ... Monday - Friday for the mail is great.
The comments in this story, and some above, are comical/ridiculous. What does not receiving mail on Saturday have to do with your work schedule? You do actually realize you do not have to be home to receive mail, or that having Saturday off for yourself also does not affect you receiving mail during the week. How in the world does that make sense to anyone. They must have been elderly people with dementia to say something like that. This will absolutely not affect anyone (other than USPS employees). If you are paying your bills down to the wire, guess what, they probably aren't there working on Saturdays anyways, so your payment will still be late. The USPS should allow people to opt how often to receive mail delivery. I would choose twice a week. Also, I don't see any mention that the actual post offices will be closed on Saturdays, just that mail won't be delivered. So what is the problem???
...and that would be your opinion.... and not too common at all.
The republicans/teabags have had it in for the U.S. Postal Service for a long, long time. They would love nothing more than to outsource the entire USPS to China or India and fire all of those despicable middle class workers. Why should the republicans have to pay an American a living wage and health benefits when they can pay someone from China $1. a day. to do the same job. That's why they are forcing the U.S. Postal Service to fund their employee benefits for 45 years into the future, they want it to fail and then they spread their BS propaganda claiming it is losing money and is inefficient. The U.S. Postal Service was created by Benjamin Franklin in 1847 and is a national treasure, vital entity and even if a letter cost .75 cents it would still be a bargain. What is truly amazing is the republicans in congress hand big oil billions of dollars every year in tax welfare entitlements(subsidies) while big oil is making record profits ripping America off, but can't take care of the American postal system. I have had it with the gop/teabags destroying America and our middle class. I have never been involved in politics before but now have made it my life goal to put an end to the republican/teabag party and their chicanery!!!!
The post office was self-sustaining until congress decided that they should fund retirement for employees who haven't even been born yet. This is the direct result of that stupid legislation. Let your representatives know that you're not happy with how they've caused a reduction in service by the most effective postal service in the world.
Janstince - people who are mailing their bills will just need to figure out how to drop that bill in the mail ONE DAY EARLIER, it really shouldnt be that difficult of an effort to make. But your stamps ahead of time so you'll always have some on you (they aren THAT expensive) and VOILA, you've survived the elimination of saturday service.
This liberal is applauding this move - and I would go one step further.
Allow residences and businesses to select how many days a week they want delivery.
I get mostly junk mail - nothing of REAL importance comes to me via the mail anymore.
I would be more than happy with 2 days a week, maybe even just one.
If even 50% of the residential and business customers opted for reduced deliveries...that would help the post office out even more.
The reason this wont EVER happen - the Union.
They are already fighting this latest move tooth and nail.
I am as liberal as they come, and I support unions - but they're losing my support on this issue.
They are fighting fot their overtime pay for saturday work, nothing more and nothing less - and while I know it's going to suck for some employee's who've been riding that gravy train...they have to see the writing on the wall.
The harder they fight reality, the harder they're going to fall.
I hope someone somewhere can find a way to talk some sense into them.
I don't want to see the USPS disappear - this seems like a perfect time for the union to do some negotiating. Force congresses hand - eliminate the mandate they put on the USPS (with the intention of killing it) to fully fund pensions up front (no other branch of service in govt has to do this, or the private sector for that matter) and in exchange - we change a few things the union has been fighting.
Like elminating employee's who arent pulling their weight thereby rewarding the hard working ones.
I have a friend who's a postal carrier and he complains ENDLESSLY about how protected the crap workers are because of the union. Having only ever worked private sector jobs I know his pain - crap workers are often protected so long as they kiss managements but. This isnt exactly a union issue. But the union could be on the right side of that issue and back the excellent workers and reward them, and kick the rift-raft to the curb. They could take some cuts to their overly generous benefits package - and eliminate a few of the stupid federal holidays they get off...i mean really, there's far too many of them to begin with.
dave-4342450 - Ron Paul? the same piece of trash insulting Chris Kyle after being murdered? Ron Paul is a moron. I am glad he didn't get past the first round. But Obama will crush our nation, but most people in America seem to busy to care anymore.
I could make due with a couple or few deliveries a week. There's no rush for me to lug in all those damn catalogs I don't want every day. I'm almost 100% paperless with my bills.
...no First-Class mail delivery on Saturdays?
Life will go on.
However, this is another American institution that has fallen
"Common Man"-
thanks for your opinion (Those who want Saturday delivery should be Taxed for that service)....
well golly, thanks.... but you are a self centered idiot.
there, now you have my opinion.
Have a Wonderful Day, my friend !
G-Man,
You are a moron! A far left hater!!! There comes a time where you can't blame everything on the Republicans. When a program cost more money than it can generate its time to make changes.
Will if people want their welfare checks on Saturday then stop delivery Monday - Friday won't miss them. then the Post Office will have 1 person per job not 10 per job.
One a week wouldn't work. Ever heard of eBay? Want to put thousands of more people out of income generating jobs? Then switch to once a week delivery.
Result of being run by the most inefficient organization the world has ever known .... the federal govt.
It is about time some government agency acted like a business. Way to go US Postal Service!
If they want to save money they should look at firing employees that are not doing their jobs. Oh wait, They can't because of the unions. How about not paying for health insurance in advance for employees they haven't hired. Oh wait, They can't do that either because of Congress.
If pro is the opposite of con, then Congress must be the opposite of Progress.
I love the quote "they lost a customer".... it's a service... they bring the mail to you for free...
who are you going to have send you bills in? UPS will charge you $5... you go ahead and be someone else's customer moron.
Will I get the same crappy service I've come to expect? Packages left in the rain. Post offices with customers lined up, one register open, and 5 people behind the counter?
What an incredibly ignorant and ultimately stupid remark. If someone pays for the stamp, but sticks it in a book and never USES it, that is a net positive for the post office. They make money on those stamps.
This will actually create OVERTIME for the USPS workers. I work there, I know. Any Holiday that falls on a Monday creates a ton of overtime because there is just too much mail to process in such a short time. This will create that every week. And with the mail being consolidated like it is, things are only going to get worse. The thing that I enjoy the most is the Board Of Governors telling management to solve the problem. Management IS the problem! Seriously, the management in the plant where I work is the worst I have ever worked for. They are unopen to ideas, don't follow rules set in place, change your pay on you, etc. They make things unbearable. Only solution is to bring in a team of professionals to sort things out, and that will never happen.
I think that this is a terrific ideal. As said they will still deliver packages on Sat, but will also save a small fortune by doing this. The prices of Gasoline alone are hurting the USPS and just 1 day a week of no mail deliveries will save them much on gas as well as maintenence of vehicles, electricity and much more.
Good Decision USPS. NOw start getting rid of all those colorful stamps and only print in B&W and you will save another 2B a year on just print costs!
Finally, someone that get it! This is true, you can look it up.
The Republicans have had it in for the U.S. Postal Service for a long time. They would love nothing more than to outsource the entire USPS to China or India and fire all of those despicable middle class workers. Why should they have to pay an American a living wage and health benefits when they can pay someone from China $1 a day to do the same job. Republicans and DINO's are forcing the U.S. Postal Service to fund their employee benefits for 45 years into the future, they want it to fail and then they spread their propaganda claiming it is losing money and is inefficient. The U.S. Postal Service was created by Benjamin Franklin in 1847 and is a national treasure, vital entity and even if a letter cost .75 cents it would still be a bargain. What is truly amazing is the Republicans in Congress hand big oil billions of dollars every year in subsidies, but can't take care of the American postal system.
Talk about ignorance on the subject...GEEZ.....
I have to say, what in the world is that lady talking about who they interviewed?
Fine pay several $$ to send a letter UPS or Fedex, that'll show the USPS. Otherwise how does looking over mail from the week before have anything to do with it being delivered on Saturday? Is it really a big deal to not it get one more day and then wait and send out on Monday?
What does she just go thru everything and then put it out to be picked up on Saturday? Assuming she isn't someone on the first part of the route where they come earlier in the morning otherwise have to wait until Monday or go to the PO before noon on Saturday, which BTW nothing there is changing this is only delivery.
Same thing here:
Sorry to be cynical but again fail to see the point. What does this have to do with Saturday delivery? Get the letters the week before, read on Saturday, put in mailbox on Monday? How is this that hard or how does it effect these people that much?
The last part is more like it, don't want to change, think about yourself, and fine with USPS bleeding billions of dollars for nothing. Well sorry nothing is going to be perfect but something has to happen and cutting the general delivery on Saturday makes perfect sense. Majority of people agree that this is the way to go, myself included and this is a great first step, next amount of Congressional control and the prefunding benefits.
It is time for the USPS to start making changes and put on their boxing gloves and go at it with Congress. This nonsense has to stop and the USPS needs to catch up with the times and reflect the current business climate, part of that will be going at it and telling Congress no. Its give and take and if we don't give then you can all plan on paying several $$ just to mail a letter and wait who knows how long vs the cheap and not all to slow option you get now with the USPS. So America lets pick? Whine about a minor personal inconvenience that really has no bearing or reflection on the reality of the situation or see the USPS sink and/or billions more TP $$$ flushed down the toilet?
It is time
@Lookingforwardtothefuture (and other morons) saying things like "One a week wouldn't work. Ever heard of eBay? Want to put thousands of more people out of income generating jobs? Then switch to once a week delivery."
What don't you get?!?! Packages will still be delivered on Saturdays, just not standard mail pieces. eBay will not be affected, or any other online goods retailer.
The post office was self-sustaining until congress decided that they should fund retirement for employees who haven't even been born yet. This is the direct result of that stupid legislation. Let your representatives know that you're not happy with how they've caused a reduction in service by the most effective postal service in the world.
Gman do some research on outsourcing. It's not just repubs that are outsourcing. You lose credibility when you make one sided biased posts like that.
Bills are only mailed to you 5 days a week...you will survive...and if you want you can still go drop your letter off in a Post Office Mailbox.
So called junk mail pays for the private mail, always has. Remove that and your stamp will have to gu way way up
I only check my mail 2-3X a week anyway
You will survive
And is f Saturday Mail is an "American Institution' then that does not say much for oiur country
Perhaps this was done because of the most recent estimate for state and local unfunded pension liabilities today for these same entities comes from The States Project (a joint venture of Harvard and the University of Pennsylvania). Their report puts the number at $3.4 trillion, plus $1.2 trillion in health care promises to government workers in retirement which haven't been funded. On top of this is the growth in state bonded debt.
That debt has also soared in recent years. One result is that The State Project puts total state and local liabilities now at a whopping $7.3 trillion. It is startling how fast our states, cities, counties, towns and school districts have been accumulating debt.
The Post Office has over $60 billion in unfunded pension liabilities itself.
BTW, According to Govtrack.us the law in question, H.R. 6407 the Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act passed the House by a voice vote and unanimous consent in the Senate. Now not only did the GOP not have a filibuster-proof majority in the Senate, all 44 Democrats and the lone independent in the Senate consented to the bill:
Votes: Dec 8, 2006: This bill passed in the House of Representatives by voice vote. A record of each representative’s position was not kept.
Dec 9, 2006: This bill passed in the Senate by Unanimous Consent. A record of each senator’s position was not kept.
Additionally, two of the three cosponsors for this bill were Democrats and you just don’t get more “liberal” than Henry Waxman (D-CA):
Cosponsors:
Danny Davis [D-IL7]
John McHugh [R-NY23]
Henry Waxman [D-CA30]
Please stop with the Liberal nonsense that the evil Republicans did this all alone.
It's time to seriously look at privatizing this mess, it cannot solve it's own problems.
Personally Losing saturday delivery would not ne a big deal. The big deal is that thousands of people will lose their jobs in an already overloaded unemployment environment. This just fuels a downward ecomomy. Raise the costs of stamps, and raise the cost on advertisers.
It's shockingly unbelievable how NBC has multiple times more coverage on the Postal Service making a long anticipated change than about memos documenting how the US government goes about assassinating innocent teen-aged American boys. You're an embarrassment to journalism, NBC.
@Donald Z
Republicans and DINO's are forcing the U.S. Postal Service to fund their employee benefits for 45 years into the future, they want it to fail and then they spread their propaganda claiming it is losing money and is inefficient.
I saw or heard previously that the post office is doing just fine financially, not losing $$$. It's paying these $$$$ in advance that's hurting it. These $$$$ keep the national debt from not appearing as bad as it actually is. I Googled couldn't find the back up info., sorry.
Get ready for more layoffs! Where are many of these post office employees going to find work when many of them are only skilled in dealing with the mail.
Very sad this will be.
With the big corporations having gone Green, as they're so very concerned about our environment, NOT be to confused with them saving Mucho, Mucho $$$$, they have convinced their customers to have their monthly bills emailed to them, not mailed, and payments are mostly made online.
This, in it's self has taken a lot of revenue away from the post office. I'm sure many jobs also have been deleted in the corporations as many of those who were processing the out going monthly statements were no longer needed.
Having the monthly statements mailed helps the post office and the expense is a tax deduction for the corporations, and maybe saves, or creates, a job for someone.
We have cooperated fully in having this situation happen to ourselves.
This is so long overdue it is not funny.
Now what other government agencies can we do away with?
TYLER ...SALLY...
Why all the collapsed comments just because union buffons do not agree with the comment???
I'm sure glad all you people who suggest getting rid of service (not just sat. but down to three day service) have such great jobs that it doesn't bother you to get rid of thousands of good (living wage) jobs that other people might have.
We can not pay people to do jobs just because they need a job. That is only found in government.
Let me see if I can comment on some of the above:
I don't like(or have) sidewalks so tax the people who do, not me.
I don't use bike paths so tax the people who do, not me.
I don't visit our national parks so tax the people who do, not me.
I don't visit the monuments in D.C. so tax the people who do, not me.
I try to not drive on the interstate highways so tax the people who do, not me.
I have absolutely no use for the National Guard so tax the people who do, not me.
I don't use the VA health care facilities (altho I'm a veteran) so tax the people who do, not me.
I could go on and on but my point is that the taxes that are paid are supposed to be used for the benefit of all the people not just one particular person. Even if you have no use or need for the post office or any other service, millions of other taxpayers do.
One thing I can't understand about the proposal is this. If they are going to have people out delivering medicine, packages and express mail why not deliver the rest of the mail at the same time?
And for those that think people that live out in the country doesn't deserve any type of government services maybe you don't deserve any of the food that is grown out here.
It's amazing that all of the comments that have been closed by community all agree with 5 day delivery. The posts have no curse words, or insults, nor are they inflammatory. I guess someone has a stick where it doesn't belong and is flagging messages that don't agree with their opinion...
That said,
The post office will open Saturday, they just won't be delivering junk, bills, letters from Grandma. To those that think this will just make their life miserable, how about getting a life. If walking to the mailbox is the highlight of your Saturday, you just may need to get a hobby.....
ldo,
if you were really serious about cutting costs within the USPS you would force Congress to stop requiring USPS to pre-fund pensions 75 years in advance. That is the only reason they are going bankrupt.
@JasonFinPhilly24 Hey dumbass, read my post again,
Where do you get I am fussing about Saturday being skipped? I'm not, I was referencing someone else's post stating that post office should only deliver once a week.
The post office building is still going to be open on Saturdays. If you want to drop a bill in the mail you can still do that. They just won't be delivering junk and letters on Saturdays. Anyone who is worried about that isn't thinking rationally.
I really don't care about the mail deliveries. I use a post office box because our street boxes are too frequently the victims of theft. The problem is when I get packages. I usually don't have time during the work week to get to the package window, that's what I do on Saturdays.
Perhaps they could take another day off...maybe Wednesdays.
This should be of some assistance. They plan to maintain Saturday office hours just not mail delivery. Packages will continue to be delivered as well.
I listened to the press conference. Windows that are open on Saturday will continue to remain open: You will be able to get your packages on Saturdays if you are doing so already.
As the mother of a high school senior who is anxiously awaiting her college acceptance and financial aid letters, I'd rather see them take another day off, such as Wednesday. At least then we wouldn't be two days in a row without mail!
Doesn't anyone read or pay attention any more. The Post Office will be open on Saturday they just won't move any mail. No wonder we have a government that is totally disfunctional. Do you people vote.
You can't possibly be so crazy to miss Sat delivery. If you are - get a PO Box!
I agree fully with princessbride, keep the flow more constant. Get rid of Saturdays but even better, get rid of Wednesdays instead. Do not continue operations of delivery for packages, express mail and medicine only. Continuing some deliveries will not be efficient. You must also discuss reduced pay for the reduced work allocated to delivery personnel. This is not a worker support program.
princessbride - really, I mean REALLY? You cant wait an extra day...
teach your child some patience, she'll need it for the rest of her life.
the only way you can do this, is by example...really, try to set a good one.
I am wondering whether I can expect to get the same crappy service I've come to love? Packages left in the rain.... Post offices with customers lined up, one register open, and 5 people behind the counter.... post office boxes that won't take packages....
then use UPS, Fedex, DHL...
you have options...
Stop complaining!!!
Hey Mark why don't you try being a postal worker, slushing through the rain and snow so someone else, a total stranger, can get their mail.
BTW: All Postal office do have larger boxes to place large packages in, during times of need.
Get a life please as the your current one must really suck for you to be so bitter!
Now we know why she has the moniker "PrincessBride"-talk about a selfish reason!!
I don't cae if I get Saturday mail delivery but in the MidWest Saturday rural mail delivery is a part time job for a great number of people. Dad works all week and Mom manages the kids and house. On Saturday she has a rural mail delivery for the guy that delivered M-F. The is how they makes ends meet in this very poor economy.
I realize that this administration is not in the least concerned in saving jobs, if they were, the president would have done his budget that he, by law, had to have completed and presented by Monday. Instead he got on AF One and tripped to Minnesota..at YOUR expense.. to tout his gun bill to hunters and farmers. I have not heard him talk about all the jobs he promised in his camapign since election day.
I would rather it be another day as well . . . Wednesday sounds good. I'm already thinking of the backlog with two days of mail to deliver on Monday . . . the mail always comes much later after holidays, etc. And, on that note: think about the holidays. That will mean THREE straight days of no mail on holiday weekends.
And, yes, I'm going to whine about my Netflix service -- already with Sundays I have to calculate when to return a movie to get a new one by Monday. Now a whole extra day of not getting my Netflix to my mailbox . . . it makes my movie service less cost-effective.
The USPS is a business. It has to stay viable. Seriously, you can't wait till Monday. Even if you get a check in the mail on Saturday, the banks are closed from Sat 12noon until Monday. The only people who will suffer are USPS employees who will see decreased wages or lay offs. The PO will be open as usual and meds and packages will still be delivered.
They did say that the post office would still be open on Saturday.
It just goes to show that anything the government controls will go belly up.
Post office, Medicare/Medicaid, Social Security, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac. etc etc etc. Obamacare will eventually go belly up too as long as it is controlled by bureaucrats. History does provide a lesson but nobody pays attention to it.
I don't care missing 1 day snail mail, less junk that way.
But they should stop sponsoring sports like cycling, it does not bring the Poste office money by advertising in the tour de France. How may Thousands went to cheaters?
Advertising all together, stop it, does not help your bad services anyway, how many time 1 of my checks been lost in the mail and I had to pay the penalties, the less I use their services the better I am without the stress.
The tellers? hahaha, they are leasy, they always seem pissed off and unpleasant... 80 % of them in cities. They just work for the benefits.
CoCo - I havent heard congress give a sh!t either.
Welcome to America - thank you for playing.
It just goes to show that America has become a bunch of whiners. On the one hand, nobody wants to pay postal fees, yet they still want full service 6 days a week. Nobody understands or wants to make compromises or sacrifices, regardless of how small they might be. You either pay higher fees or you get reduced service.
@ChrisG - the savings in labor cost will come by eliminating positions, not reducing the wage rate.
Full-time Mail carriers are scheduled to work 5 days per week - each route currently must be delivered 6 days. This means there are 6 carriers for every 5 routes (one is a "bobber" who delivers a different route each day.) When Saturday delivery is eliminated, there will only be a requirement for 5 carriers on each 5 routes. That reduces the number of full-time carrier positions by about 16%. The limited Saturday deliveries can be performed by carriers working overtime, or a few part-time carriers (or a combination.)
Lots of city carriers work split off-days (Sunday,Tuesday - Sunday,Wednesday - Sunday,Thursday - Sunday,Friday). So in each group of 6 carriers, 4 have split off-days and 2 have consecutive off-days (Sat,Sun and Sun,Mon). This change will mean that all carriers can have Saturday,Sunday as their scheduled off-days - a luxury only a few senior employees are able to enjoy with 6-day delivery.
Rural route carriers are paid by mileage and mailpieces, so their compensation will be adjusted.
It would be nice to know how many gallons of gasoline and diesel fuel will be conserved by this. That reduced demand should place some downward pressure on petroleum prices.
Will they be cutting salaries to reflect the reduction in mail delivery? They should have cut Saturday delivery YEARS ago. No if Congress would change the law that they, and ONLY USPS, had to keep so much money in reserve for pensions..they could maybe make it!
I would rather see mail delivered on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. That would get rid of all of the Monday holidays that they get paid as well.
That would be because he made no such promises. Unlike right wing nut jobs like yourself, he realizes that presidents do not create jobs. Also, since you plainly failed civics, the president does not present a budget, he presents a Request. Since congress denies everything he requests, I agree with him, why waste the time and effort. He might make the request if Republicans were serious about running the country, but they are not. They are only serious about trying to make political points with their drooling base.
Congress is what has killed the US Postal service, not email. By making them fund pensions for people that they will not hire for 10 years, if they hire them at all, congress assured their destruction. Republicans orchestrated this because the postal employees were part of the largest public employee union in the country and Republican are ALL about crushing unions.
Let me get this straight. They're axing Saturday letter delivery, and down the line they plan to eliminate next-day delivery. When that happens, the cross-town letter mailed on Thursday won't arrive until the following Tuesday when Monday is a holiday. Whatever business you're in, better service attracts customers, and worse service drives customers away.
Congress has mucked-up USPS, and they are (God help us) the only ones who can set it right. Anyone who objects to these plans should let their Reps and Senators hear about it. They need to get re-elected, and they react to pressure like anyone else. It's easy: call the U.S. Capitol switchboard at 202-224-3121 and ask for the office of your Rep and Senators. Operators are standing by, and they'd love to hear from "the people". Seriously!
COOCOO whines once more......Repubs are to blame for any change in service for defunding the Post Office by forcing them to pay out ahead of time 80yrs on the pension plan. So too much MONEY IS BEING DIRECTED TO THE PENSION INSTEAD OF DAYTO DAY OPERATIONS...... funny how everything was fine until repubs came up with the plan to destroy the Post office unions and to privatize it for the greedy rich....You are right about the mail toutes on sat and the jobs...then incorrectly blame the President.
Sen Bernie Sanders has the solution posted on his website........REPUBS ARE OBSTRUCTING FOR PROFIT!
I don't understand the problem with stopping Saturday's mail. If you work all week, why is it so difficult to just pick up your mail on Saturday and take the day to read it all. I'm a little confused by some of these posters on this vine.....You'll still be getting mail Monday through Friday. What does it matter if you work late those days or not? I rarely, if ever, open my mailbox on Saturday anyway....I'm too busy. So, sometimes I don't get to my Saturday mail until I open the box after work on Monday. It's no big deal!
As for the rest of you who blame our Congress for their stupid bill to fund the USPS pension fund for 10 years for employees who haven't even been hired yet, I have to agree with you. That's the stupidest thing I've EVER heard! If they got rid of that, the USPS would have no problems!! This is where the $2M that the USPS can't pay is coming from!!
I'm not sure if anyone realizes how many jobs this will cost. Not only will people lose there jobs, but for the ones that get to keep their jobs, they have no idea where they will get moved. Not everyone can just up root. People have no idea how hard it is to carry and deliver mail. It's physically heavy, and your in all types of weather walking not less then 12 miles a day. This wears on your body. Just walk in a carriers shoes one day, and people will get some idea of what it is like.
Mailman 8 -
Welcome to retail life buddy! Working Christmas, Thanksgiving, and never getting 2 days off in a row, no matter how senior you may be.
Really? The post office in my town is great. NEVER had any issues with them. Which is why I use the USPS whenever I need a package sent out.
Try not being such a krappy customer. Maybe that would help you.
Amused in the Midwest is on the right track. It ws during GW Bush's era that Congress passed the Postal Civil Service Retirement System Funding Reform Act of 2003. Congress saw that the Post Office had a surplus of cash then decided to shift $27 billion in Military Pension obligations to the USPS. Since the postal service was considered off budget it wasn't counted into the overall budget. Congress saw a way of shifting responsiblity and money so it would appear as though they had a balanced budget.
The "Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act" of 2006requires USPS to pre-fund retiree health care out to the year 2075, and to do so in 10 years (by 2016). In other words, Congress is forcing USPS to pay
retiree health care for employees who have not yet been born. No other federal agency is required to pre-fund, nor do any do so.
It WAS Congress that is to blame and the cause of the USPS to be in the boat they are today.
That's it. I'm now gonna cancel my Netflix disk delivery and stick with streaming videos.
people need to quit crying and acting like babies!! you don't need the post office to be operating on Saturdays no matter how hectic your work week is.. there are drop boxes and stamp vending machines, so you can still go on Saturday or even Sunday and your mail will still be delivered
It doesn't matter what they decide to do somebodies panties will get in a bunch. Let's face it most people do not like change. Myself I couldn't give a flying.....
I can understand the arguments involving paychecks, etc. But the irked customer comments in the article...I mean, really? Saturday is the only day you have to open, read and respond to your mail. That's not going to change just because they don't deliver on Saturdays - the mail from the rest of the week will still be waiting for you. There is no law that says you may only touch your mail on days when it is delivered.
"They just lost a customer." Um, who else are you going to get to deliver your mail?
And exchanging Saturdays for Wednesdays. Do you have any idea how badly that would eff up businesses that are open M-F?
Silly government. either make the new schedule, Tuesday through Saturday, or just raise the cost of a stamp.
ups charges 10 times more to deliver a letter, that's why they make money instead of losing money, oh wait, then the credit card companies would have to spend more money for mailing bills. wow, I am soooo inconsiderate.
dee dee dee
@Panic ... I'm with you. I don't get it. How does non-delivery on Saturday prevent these people from reading and responding to the mail that they received Monday - Friday? Can they only read freshly delivered mail? After all, the post offices themselves will still be open on Saturdays.
Perhaps the advanced payment of pension benefits was done because of the most recent estimate for state and local unfunded pension liabilities today for these same entities comes from The States Project (a joint venture of Harvard and the University of Pennsylvania). Their report puts the number at $3.4 trillion, plus $1.2 trillion in health care promises to government workers in retirement which haven't been funded. On top of this is the growth in state bonded debt.
That debt has also soared in recent years. One result is that The State Project puts total state and local liabilities now at a whopping $7.3 trillion. It is startling how fast our states, cities, counties, towns and school districts have been accumulating debt.
The Post Office has over $60 billion in unfunded pension liabilities itself.
BTW, According to Govtrack.us the law in question, H.R. 6407 the Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act passed the House in 2006 by a voice vote and unanimous consent in the Senate. Now not only did the GOP not have a filibuster-proof majority in the Senate, all 44 Democrats and the lone independent in the Senate consented to the bill:
Votes: Dec 8, 2006: This bill passed in the House of Representatives by voice vote. A record of each representative’s position was not kept.
Dec 9, 2006: This bill passed in the Senate by Unanimous Consent. A record of each senator’s position was not kept.
Additionally, two of the three cosponsors for this bill were Democrats and you just don’t get more “liberal” than Henry Waxman (D-CA):
Cosponsors:
Danny Davis [D-IL7]
John McHugh [R-NY23]
Henry Waxman [D-CA30]
Please stop with the Liberal nonsense that the evil Republicans did this all alone.
It's time to seriously look at privatizing this mess, it cannot solve it's own problems
They should have eliminated Saturday delivery years ago. If they really want to save expenses they should get rid of the ridiculous retirement package they give to their retirees.
Regarding the Hela Borer idiot in the article: I lived in NYC for 35 years and worked crazy hours, too. When I came home, I opened up my mailbox in the lobby and retrieved my mail... if there was any. I could open that box 24/7/365. I didn't wait till Saturday.
I now have a PO Box. I can retrieve my mail 24/7/365 from the Post Office. They don't have to be open for you to access the boxes.
Is a grown woman really that stupid?
The ridiculous retirement. Let me see 25 years of service for a 25% base pension that they pay for, nets them a car payment and the utility bil,l boy is that ridiculous
It's shockingly unbelievable how NBC has multiple times more coverage on the Postal Service making a long anticipated change than about memos documenting how the US government goes about assassinating innocent teen-aged American boys. You're an embarrassment to journalism, NBC.
It's just like everything else, there is always someone who has to complain about something. I am pretty tired of it. not that anyone cares really !! I just look at it this way, it is one less day of junk mail to clutter up my box. The post office is useless as far as i am concerned anyway. I stood in line last week for 40 minutes for 1 stamped envelope. It would be better off if they closed. the attitude of the workers there is really bad as well.
MIKE...
Are you talking about innocent teenage American boys doing the work of Al Quida?
So sad ...toooo bad
I remember when they 1st started Saturday mail in my hometown... late 60's. Now... with all the post offices with lobby opened on Saturday... how much more convienent can it get? I'm sure ALL banks offer automatic deposit. Wow how convient is that? Also, business's have the 5 to 10 business days for delivery. We can't share that philosophy? Just asking.
What I want to know is why congress is telling the postal service they have to put so many millions into a retirement system that will pay future retires that ahve not even been hired as yet ? What if congress required all business to do the same..we would effectively have no business operating here..none could afford to. The main problem may be that congress wants to make the post office a bought and paid for company for someone..just have to wonder who they have in mind.
Fed Ex UPS You can thank the gop for that. ronald regun (ZAP) Also, the non-profit? group ALEC. them and citizens united have torn our country apart.
The Postal Service does a good job sending a lettter from coast to coast in five to seven days for welll under a buck.
Raise the rates and keep delivering 6 days a week. The rest of the world pays 2-3 times as much for a stamp than we do. Too bad if if gets too expensive for junk mailings.
""Every time I come to use the post office, I hear they're taking away a service," Lynch said."
This is what all poorly managed companies do in tough times, cut services, and because they are a gov't agency (in spite of what they say) they cannot cut people and branches to right-size the organization to the times. Say goodbye to the dinosaur.
The USPS is the best postal service in the world! It delivers its letters, packages and magazines at a speed and rate which is the most efficient in the world. The problem with the Post Office happens when its board of directors (The Senate and the House) puts its nose into the PO's business and creates problem after problem! The Post Office used to have to pay a large chunk of military retiree's (retired from the USPS) benefits for the military. Then the Congress forced the PO into bad contracts with UPS and Fedex to fly mail and packages (The USPS does not have their own planes anymore)! This kept both of these companies afloat but severely hampered the bottom line for the post office.
Then Congress tried to force the USPS to pre-fund 75 years of retiree benefits in just 10 years! This was another money grab in order to pay for something else our idiot politicians decided to give away. It is not fair for long-term, career employees to have their promised retirements gutted by greedy politicians. The wave of the postal future includes lower wages, much lower benefits and terrible service! (The post office is now trying to hire temp employees with less than 30 hours/week (to avoid Obamacare) and for about 1/2 of the wage of current workers. I understand that the USPS cannot expect a bailout like GM or Chrysler, but, is it too much to ask that Congress stays out of the way and let the hard working postal employees try to make a go of it without stupidity and corruption destroying this institution! (BTW, if Fedex and UPS ever took over you would be looking at the end of cheap letters and no more competition on package delivery which would dramatically raise prices)!
I've seen this tweet amongst Republican Tea Party members:
"We're closr to getting rid of a giant gov't agency! Cut off their $$$! *HIGH FIVE!*"
I depend on the U.S. Postal Service ...just how would you reply back to a tweet like that?
rradiko, this is not a Tea Party, Conservative thing! It is rampant corruption on both sides of the aisle in the neverending battle of politicians being re-elected! Most of our lovely politicians would be more than happy to see 500,000 postal employees be unemployed if it made sure they stay in power!
Don't pretend that Postal Workers have a hard life. Easiest job E-V-E-R. And if you don't want people to be bitter... do a better job.
Wow,
You caught me. I hadn't read the entire story. It was one of those rushed mornings. My apologies. Yes; I do vote but I take more time with that.
Yeah it's the easiest job E V E R . My mail carrier will easily float down the streets that will not be shoveled , lugging weightless mail in the middle of a blizzard on Friday. Im sure he loves being csashed down for checks and prescription that havent come in yet. 98% of the time they are doing a thank less job for ignorant people like you.
oh really??? What happened to we deliver through rain and snow... oh did we forget about greed and budget cuts.... stinks like someone doesnt like the union... join the unemployment lines boys... welcome to the club... and you thought you were special.... good thing you work for the government... hey maybe if you increase the cost of a stamp you might keep your job....honestly.... I wont miss the junk mail on saturday...
It would be better to dump the Postal Service altogether. If they were allowed to do so, by law, the private shippers can do the job cheaper, quicker and more efficiently. The postal workers' union has us all by the short and curlies with bloated pensions, high-cost health plans and the fact that it's well nigh impossible to fire one, even when caught in blatantly incompetent and/or criminal behavior.
For those who say that the USPS is a business...How many businesses do you know that, when they are having money problems, RAISE the cost of doing business?? But wait...hold on...they are complaining that they raised the cost of stamps and actually got less mail! OMG...what business school do these dolts come from? Are these folks rejects from Netflix?
JimSpence, perhaps the reason for the future funding of healthcare cost for possible new employees 60+ years into the future within a 5-6 year period to the tune of about 5 plus billion dollars per year which the Postal Service must pay each year so far, like is required of the Postal Service is so that these monies that are paid to the feds funds can be used to back up shortage in eg the federal pension funds and or can perhaps be tapped into like was and is being done to Social Security where the pension funds monies are borrowed to use to balance the budget and have been going on since Reagan started this in the 1980s if I am not mistaken. No other company is required to fund their healthcare cost 60 plus years into the future for employees yet to be hired and within such a short period of time. This is perhaps just a move to eventually privatize the postal service or run it into the ground for whatever reason from the sound and look of things.
The postal service does not get any money from the federal or state government as the postal service is self funding through the services that they provide/sell and are bought by the public.. eg from stamps, parcel service etc and the like. So this thing about Congress bailing them out is hogwash. Bail them out how? The only thing Congress could do is to suspend the 5 plus billion dollar yearly payment that the PO must pay up each year no matter what, into that healthcare plan for future healthcare cost for future employees if I am not mistaken. LOL
Bringing the USPS into to 21 century would mean allowing the post office to offer more services thatn they do now. For example they could offer more services like faxing, photocopying, banking and the like, like the European countries postal service offer their customers. That is where some folks pick up/ access their pension fund accounts as it is deposited into their post office account. You could also open a savings account at the post office.
By the way not everyone pay bills, bank or shop online. At least when you pay certain bills like for example your mortgage payment by check at least you have a hard copy receipt of payment in your bank statement showing when the check was presented for payment. One other thing is that I do not have to remember yet another password, or worry about having access to the internet, or if my computer etc is functional or not, whether the electricity is out or not, if the banking site is functioning or not, or wonder if there is some virus or if my account is being hacked etc.
Why is it that in the USA it always must be an either or situation? Why should it have to be the internet versus USPS/mail service or the US Postal Service versus Fed-ex or UPS? Why can't we have these systems/methods working effectively side by side instead of having to chose one over the other?
Roads are privatized or being privatized already, next it will be the airports, Amtrack, more of the airwaves, the ports, aquaducts, the public parks and the like..... Before long we will be paying more to breathe clean air.... but at least with the USPS still functional at least you will still be able to send in your payments even when you do not have any electricity or telephone or cable service. LOL
Peace.....
Jim Spence, writing a clear and cogent and simple post, embarrasses the likes of starsailing, among other leftist twits. We are in dire circumstances that only the complexity of which prevents more people from being upset and demanding change. The USPS should either be cut lose and let to operate like a business, or remain under the idiotic management yoke of the federal government. If it remains under the dumb control of the governmentally appointed commission, then I have just a few suggestions.
First, don't eliminate Saturday delivery for half the people. Instead, eliminate for all of us three days of delivery out of the six we now get. So half the people would get M/W/F, the other half T/Th/S. Fewer people would be needed to deliver the mail. Costs cut.
Second, in urban and suburban areas in particular, install community mail boxes. If people want delivery to their own door then charge them extra. A truck can pull up and deliver to 30 or 40 addresses in just a couple of minutes. Major costs cut.
Otherwise, cut the USPS loose and let them operate like any business should.
Hi BZe1,
I'm sorry to have to say this, but among the many things you are mistaken about is when borrowing from the SS trust fund began. It began in 1935. Reagan had nothing to do with it.
Cindlyr1957: You're Wrong. Unions and their benefits is what has built a strong middle class, and has also positively influenced workers wages and benefits in Non-union companies as well. So for you to remark disparagingly as to USPS union benefits for example, is to downgrade the overall positive impact unions had, and continues to have on the quality of life for ALL workers, and our economy regardless of union affiliation or lack thereof. As long as we still have paper mail, we need the post office. You should be glad that people have pensions when they retire which helps them to support themselves versus dependency on government programs such as; food stamps or medicaid. Moreover, the more money in their pocket, the more they have to spend and stimulate the economy, the Better for All of Us.
On the issue of private industry; Private companies are NOT going to provide delivery of first class mail / letters for 46 cents to millions of Americans across 50 states including some very rural areas! Although much of our mail is now paperless resulting is less of a need for snail mail letters, the demand for paper mail still exists. **Secondly, in 2006 the Republicons in Congress Sabotaged the USPS by passing legislation which forces the USPS to adopt an unusual business practice of Funding the pension plan (75) years in Advance via the: Enactment of the Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act of 2006. No private business does this, nor any other gov't entity has been mandated to fund their pension plan (75) years in advance. It's a "manufactured crisis by the republicons in 2006, and in 2012 refused to amend or nullify the law in order to alleviate the "manufactured crisis". (Thinkprogress.org)
http://thinkprogress.org/economy/2011/09/28/330524/postal-non-crisis-post-office-save-itself/
Teri,
I don't think anyone disparaged all unions ever. Unions do try to alter the marketplace for labor and so, over time, will destroy a firm's (industry too) ability to compete. Firms wouldn't care about how much workers make per hour if they were as productive relatively speaking as other, lower paid, workers. The USPS has had a monopoly for first class mail since our founding, and probably for this reason was able to avoid the laws of economics longer than they really should've.
As far as your claims about the Accountability Act I refer you to Jim Spence's post above. He essentially slices and dices you.
starsailing, you nailed it my friend. It's all the evil rich Republican's fault. It's good to know that the Democratic party is made up of paupers like the Kennedys, John Kerry, Nancy Pelosi, Diane Feinstein, Warren Buffett, George Soros and Bill Gates. That's just the tip of the iceberg. This is not even mentioning the great man himself, Michael Bloomberg. He is an independent who used to be a Republican who used to be a Democrat who now is anything that is necessary to get a vote. He'd be a Communist if it would get him elected so he can feed off the taxpayers. AHHH, it is wonderful to know all these poor Democrats are working so hard for the taxpaying middle class. Or, should I say they're working hard for OUR dollars.
Easiest job E-V-E-R
Maybe the Mail should be deliverd Monday Wednesdy and Friday. I bet the United States would still be a great country if the mail was delivered three times a week.
They went to a business school that taught that when your core business is in trouble, you drop unprofitable lines of business and locations and add new lines. Unfortunately, Congress doesn't allow this. Don't blame the USPS if it can't be profitable if it is ALLOWED to do what it needed for profitability.
@Jessica and @Hunter - what do you guys do for fun - kick puppies and tell 5-year olds that Santa isn't real? It's not like I said I expected mail 6 days a week to accommodate my desires. I only suggested that, if it drops to 5 days, it be broken up so the whole weekend isn't without mail! I didn't think that was so unreasonable. I mentioned my daughter because every seems to think nothing comes snail mail anymore except junk mail. Maybe to you receiving the mail announcing a college acceptance and merit scholarship isn't a big deal, but it is in our house. There are other people who, for other reasons, also find themselves checking the mail every day. If my daughter and I didn't have patience, we'd be calling the schools to find out the decision - but we're not! And by the way, my name is princessbride because that happens to be my favorite movie - NOT because I expect to be treated like a princess! Now, go back to kicking your puppies....
People still use the US Mail? I think I can count on one hand the number of actual paper, envelope and stamp letters I have sent in my entire life. That is what E-mail, phones, social media, text messages and internet forums are for. My 90 year old grandmother who can barely turn her computer on has an E-mail account, and she mostly knows how to use it. Even she has stopped sending letters.
I pay all my bills online with a debit card or electronic funds transfer from my bank. Who the hell still cuts a check or money order to pay bills? What a pain in the neck.
You can even obtain your W2, file your taxes and receive a tax refund ON LINE! ... without the post office!
I do on occasion receive and sometimes send packages, but those come and go UPS or FedEx.
I check my mailbox once a week, usually on Sunday and the box is packed very tightly with junk mail. Maybe 1 in 100 pieces of mail are actually addressed to me and have any relevance to my life.
The post office, especially the way it is run, is an antiquated waste of taxpayer money.
They should cut mail delivery to Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. I wouldn't have a problem with that. Legislate that creditors give you an extra day or two. Most of those on here arguing against ending Saturday delivery either work for the USPS or think that it's a jobs program.
In return for this monopoy, the USPS has an obligation that no other carrier faces: it must serve every mailing address in the United States on nearly daily basis.
Rich @ # 2.62...... Social Security Act became law in the 1935. For over 30 odd years there are those republicons in Congress who have been trying to privatize Social Security..... trying to get their hands on all that money.
Imagine if Social Security had been privatized, who would have been bailed out first when the American and global economy imploded/crashed in 2008?.... Social Security or Wall Street? LOL Imagine the impact of that sort of double whammy loss on the economy....... wow
Have your investments, pension plans, savings etc portfolios fully recovered yet? How about the value of your house? LOL
Makes one wonder why it is that there are those Republicons in Congress who would think that privatizing Social Security is a brilliant, fiscally sound idea. But then, the folks in Congress, their federal govt secured/guaranteed pensions funds are not a part of the Social Security fund is it? Hmmm
Peace....
Then I'm going to keep and reuse my medicine envelopes and express envelopes, and trick the post office into delivering them on Saturday.
That's the spirit!
Cameron YOU are the epitomy of an IDIOT!
REPUBLICONS STRIKE ANOTHER BLOW AGAINST AMERICAN WORKERS AND AMERICA!!!!
Talk about ignorance on the subject...GEEZ.....
Republican slipped in a bill a few yrs ago to try and destroy the present Post Office system so they can privatize it for profit for the rich! The bill made it mandatory to fund pensions out ahead of time 80 years!!! NO BUSINESS does that!!!! It was deliberately done to defund the post office to destroy unions and middle class and the poor.
Congrats to republicons....so far so good....instead of changing the law of funding pensions TO SOMETHING reasonable, which would cure the problem..they cut hrs, and jobs on American workers....just like they pledged to do 4 years ago the night president Obama took office. Make life miserable for America.
Republicons pledged to vote against and obstruct any bill or law that would be good for America...just to make President Obama look bad. They did just that with record filibusters.....even blocking health care for 911 first responders......BLOCKING JOBS BILLS FOR VETS WHO ARE COMITTING SUICIDE AT THE RATE OF 22 A DAY!
You can count on republicons...to be against America!
Not everyone has computers or computer access....DOH!!!! Funny how the Post Office was fine until the greedy rich figured a way to DESTROY the Post Office for privatization!!!!...............DOHHH!
This is nothing skip. Wait until the USPS capsizes thanks to their LIFETIME HEALTHCARE that is bankrupting them. Don't you see ALL of the news, not just what CBS, ABC and NBC dribble out???The USPS has already missed 2 payments for their commitment to their healthcare fund, and they are just about broke, even with raising the price of a stamp. Remember the TWINKIE??? Those workers stood tall, against "shared sacrifice", and now are on UNEMPLOYMENT.
Nothing for nothing skip, would you rather have 1/2 of a glass of kool aid, or NONE?
Just saying...
Sincerely,
A dis-satisfied customer and voter...
nascar29fan, slide back under the car and stop the drooling. You have no inkling why the postal service is in trouble.
Cameron, stop being so petty and grow up! You are the poster person for the national debt!
the postal service needs to be privatized .. as is, the postal service has been failing long before this "bill" you keep mentioning. just like the new health care plan.. when will the libtards learn that "share the wealth" doesn't work .. if you are mad at the filthy rich for earning their money then get off your lazy butt and go get rich yourself or shut your piehole!!
Bryan, go tell chase or bank of America that u want to privatize it and they will have to pay two bucks to send each bill. lol I DARE YOU. LOL ain't gonna happen, shrink the workers to protect the cheap system which is just corporate welfare. And you get to pay for it lol. Maybe Obama is more republican they you guys think he is. lol
Well, that's a Felony! I can't believe how many people try to cheat the Postal Service out of money and think nothing of it. It is part of the Federal Government people.
@Amused: "nascar29fan, slide back under the car and stop the drooling. You have no inkling why the postal service is in trouble."
Skip, I know exactly why the USPS is going under. More e-mails, internet traffic, people are going paperless. If there is LESS demand, then people will spend less with you. Yet, the USPS, (their unions), are unwilling to see that massive change is right around the corner, not to mention the bankruptcy that is all but imminent. Their UNIONS are unwilling to buckle on lifetime health benefits, which is crushing the USPS right into the grave. I guarantee you, that within 6 months, (this cutback of 1 day will NOT be enough to avoid the bankruptcy cliff) one of 2 things WILL happen, if the UNIONS do not agree to some SERIOUS changes...
1. The USPS will either file for chapter 11 bankrutpcy,
2. Go out of business or be purchased by a private purchaser.
...Either way, if (when) these happen, the UNIONS will LOSE their contracts, not to mention their benefits, jobs, everything they have. When a business (USPS is a business), sells to another person, THAT PURCHASER DOES NOT HAVE TO CONTINUE WITH THE UNION...
So skip, maybe YOU should do your homework, put down the kool aid, wipe the drool off YOUR shirt, and crawl back under the rock you were under...
Just saying...
Sincerely,
A dis-satisfied customer and voter...
seems like the post office bureaucrats forgot that rural customers NEED our saturdays much more so than urban and suburban customers. we have the same issue written about here. we've a small rural post office that now closes at 4p weekdays and open saturday til noon. there is no delivery in our area because we are rural so our only option is like everyone else here a pob. no saturday means to do anything like mailing a package, picking up a package, registered mail, etc. i, we would have no choice but to have one of my employees cover while i drive 20 miles to the post office each way sans saturday service or my wife would have to take off from her job. and ups and fedex are not options either for most things we use the post office for as they don't deliver to us or our neighbors being so out of the way, forcing us to drive even further to their warehouse facilities. raises prices enough to cover expenses we are good with that and frankly it would cost us less and be well worth it.
Why is it that people comment on thse stories without reading them? The reason the post office is going broke is because a lot less volume is going through there anymore due to a change in consumer behavior away from snail mail. This trend has been going on for years and is the same as newspapers and other older forms of communciation. By dropping Saturday deliveries they do not need the part-time labor, gas and other costs of delivery and therefore save $2 billion dollars a year. If you want to cut the deficit, allowing the USPS to cut their losses and resist having to be bailed out this is one way to do it. Businesses are their top customers and need them to deliver Mon-Friday which is why those days are kept. This is a business and needs to adapt to changing conditions just like any other. If they raised their rates, people would use them even less and it would not solve their problem. This has nothing to do with political parties, healthcare or any of these other things being thrown around.
Now can everyone stop their endless complaining?
plafollette, you are correct on all accounts. My fellow Americans. It is up to you to tell your family and friends to call their local congress person and object to this increase in fees and retirement package. this is hurting the small businesses in the country. Yes the Republicans did this without any-ones knowledge, so you can blame all members or congress. They use this money to pay-off corporate America who pays-off them. We need stop this folks and put these crooks in jail. Both sides are the problem!
They are deliberately forcing the small business to go to UPS and Fed-X for their overpriced services. While they fund stadiums and golf outings. The top people in USPS needs to go too! Overpaid scum that feed off the American people! Funny thing that the top executives are on the USPS board. Talk about price fixing!
Starsailing, you are wrong to just blame the Republicans! Both sides of the aisle have been involved in the "Great Money Grab" for decades. Congress tried to force the post offfice to pay for 75 years of retiree benefits in 10 years. This was a bipartisan vote. A Democratically controlled House and Senate forced the Post Office into a terrible mail transportation contract with both Fedex and UPS, funnelling BILLIONS into these companies! Politicians cannot leave well enough alone, ON BOTH SIDES!
@Amused...actually, nascar is right. I am a letter carrier and his comments regarding prefunding retirement benefits for people who are not even born yet was a Bush/Republican spoiler slipped in after the Repubs lost control of Congress in the 2006 election. Even staunch Republicans in my office have admitted that this was a severe blow to the USPS finances. If not for this policy (which NO other company in the world is required to even come close to follow) the USPS would have been in the black until this past year. That's a fact, not just opinion.
Those of you who advocate Privatization forget that Private industry will cost as much if not more than a government run entity because of the built-in Profit factor. Further, I don't like privatization because of the lack of accountability. As a citizen, one has More accountability and transparency with a government entity than you will ever have with a private entity!!
Atta boy. Save the USPS for junk mail only.
Thanks Postal, too bad my 1st comment (THE TRUTH) was collapsed, even though I was right!!
Oh well, it is what it is. And Amused, maybe you should do your homework FIRST, after your kool aid, of course!!
Sincerely,
A dis-satisfied customer and voter...
I would imagine BOA will simply offer free electronic bills to their customers and then charge an additional fee to the dinosaurs that still want their bill delivered via paper mail.
I get all my bank statements, credit card bills, utility bills, car note and cell phone bills ELECTRONICALLY. For FREE! The banks don't even need to pay the .40 cents or whatever to send me a bill now.
Dump the post office, privatize package delivery and join the 21st century!
Starsailing....What an anti american socialist you are.....I think that you believe that there is nothing good about our country.....and that you really worship Karl Marx.
Geeze, I'd be fine with a couple days a week mail delivery. Who cares, let the post office cut some costs!
People always say that... until their bill is late, or magazine doesn't arrive on time, or something ordered from a business hasn't come in yet -- then they raise a fuss about it.
All those things will arrive on Monday. They can pay their bill on Monday. If they were going to pay it in person, they don't have to wait for the bill. That's a nonsense excuse to keep the status quo.
Believe me just that one day of no delivery will set mail back a lot longer than just one day. I live in Canada and we don't have mail delivery on Saturdays. It takes the mail twice as long sometimes to get from A to B, than it does in America. When I send a letter to my Mom in California she gets it in a week. She sends me a card or something and it can take up to 2 to 3 weeks. It's not about, oh I don't care if I get mail on Saturdays. Well that's fine for you, but there are those who still DO care about more timely mail. It isn't always just about you.
Sorry Cameron, I don't write checks and mail them or get any magazines. Why waste money on a stamp when I can just e-bill and electronically deposit. Heck, I can even deposit checks into the bank with my phone. I'm still fine with it... :-)
Well Kate it is kindof about the majority who keep paying higher taxes for everything. And tax money goes to keep this behemoth agency going because they lose money right and left. Also we could really give a damn about mail in Canada.
Unless you are desperate for that government check or an EBT card, It won't be missed.
Yeah, who cares if veterans, the sick, and the elderly don't get their benefits. smh
They will, if they use electronic banking like all wise people do.
All the mail brings is junk and bills.
Most government checks must be via direct deposit, and the USPS only delievers government checks Monday thru Friday never on Saturday for security reasons.
My Veteran Benefits come electronically, sounds like you whine a lot....
Viewer_Ready, I see your point. There are people who do not have bank accounts, as they cannot afford the fees, and even though EBT and unemployment payments are done electronically to cards, the cards are still mailed out to the recipients. Many people still rely on the computers at the public libraries or other non-home places as they can't afford the internet, and not all businesses accept payments on-line.
It seems to me the easiest solution is to cut and mail the checks ONE DAY EARLIER.
oh gosh, it's like I should run the govt or something.
nope, im apparently too "creative" in my solutions.
As if all checks are government checks..........Those that oppose sat delivery have no clue about the needs of others who receive all kinds of checks and documents on Sat.
The world was fine until repubs slipped in the bill before going home for Xmas a few years ago to defund the Post office!
Fed Ex will love this...$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ Just like repubs planned......defund and privatize for the filthy rich....Vote for America ........Vote Democratic party for American workers!!!!!!!!
Jessica....you think you are creative???? aaahahahahahaha......You have no clue about the world outside of your little comp!
My VA check comes electronic as well and I was pretty sure you had to petition to keep paper checks. They forced me to switch years ago. And I heard from one of my employees that social security is going to require you to go electronic as well unless you have some overwhelming circumstance that prevents it. So Cameron I agree with Tom you do seem to whine alot.
Star sailing. I don't know what you do for a living none of my business but while you are whining about your loss of Saturday mail thing about this. Postal carriers are constantly being over worked under paid. Retire's are having the pensions messed with health benefits cut. Why? Because the post office is broke I mean dirt f ing broke. They have to take some responsibilty in that but it is mostly because we as a nation don't need snail mail.
I believe a lot of pension checks, Social Security checks, etc. are now being direct deposited. So, you don't have to worry about a check being late!
Nascarfan: This has NOTHING to do with healthcare for the USPS. It has to do with the government requiring the UPSP to fund thier pension plan for 10 years for employees who haven't even been hired yet. Maybe you need to do some research before you start spouting out untruths!
Crazywolf....you really have no clue why the Post Office is doing what they are doing....!
NO BUSINESS FUNDS OUT THE PENSION PLAN 80 YEARS....NONE......Repubs did this and block changing the bill because they want to bust unions...and....privatize it for profit!.....REPUBS ARE TRYING TO KILL POST OFFICE SERVICE. so far so good.Too...Much....unecessary money...is going...into...the ...pension...for people who are not even born yet who will be delivering the mail!!!!DOHHHH!
Sen Bernie Sanders has the simple solution on his website. Including some changes for a better system/cost efficient etc.
REPUBS WANT TO KILL IT!!!!!Try some research crazy..... or remain so!
Didi......and some of these people are the future of America!!!
Changing with the times! email is faster and instantaneous in most occasions. Just like skype, video calling et al are improvements. If a business does not stay in the black ... it does not survive, changes to meet the current conditions are inevitable. Think green! all those trees which are saved by receiving bills and paying bills on line saves a lot. Do you pay any bill more than once per month anyway? 80% of all mail received is either junk or solicitation. It's about time they woke up and moved forward. 4 day delivery would be more than sufficient ofr junk mail et all. Besides which all package and special delivery will continue and post offices will be open on Saturdays ... so quit while your ahead unless you want to personally support the post office with your own personal money!!
Starsailing, sorry, but your rants are based on nothing.
Your notion that no one projects out their retirement fund like the postal service is simply not true. I am on a PERS retirement system and they do it and are very sound.
Your concern about the needs of people for "checks and documents" being delivered is absurd. Very, very few people get checks in the mail anymore and they are becoming fewer all the time. What documents get delivered on Saturday that can't come another day?
Looks like you just like to whine a lot about nothing.
I don't read my mail during the week either, but you know I would just have to rearrange my priorities and put my phone down for a moment or turn the tv off.....whatever it takes to go through my mail as far as mailing something, you can always buy postage over the internet have it on hand along with envelopes, and i personally am an employer and i wouldn't mind an employee sending their mail out with my business mail....I don't think there are many employers that would mind. We always make time for our priorities no matter what they are or what we are doing. How does this lady in particular take care of every banking matter that comes along. There are times I have to take off and run to the bank to appear in person, I just have to make arrangements ahead of time. It is just another reason to complain.
Paul you just showed how ignorant you are on this subject....try researching the problem before you post. 80 years out on pension is NOT business savy on any planet. There have been numerous articles on this very problem the Post Office is having. We have discussed it on the blog numerous times....the people who wrote the article above were irresponsible for not posting the causes. Maybe they thought people who actually knew what caused the crisis would be the only people responding and therfore left out the facts.
Listen or research to learn....before you speak, if not..well..........DOH!
Starsailing, I just want to let you know that I am a postal employee and know intimately the causes of the USPS debacle! It has been a "money grab" from both sides of the aisle on a convenient target. Paying for 75 years of retiree benefits in 10 years is a stupid, transparent theft of future retirements to fund current overspending! Forcing the USPS into one-sided contracts with companies based in Democratic states (Fedex and UPS) is another example of theft by legislation! The problem is not Democrat or Republican it is the greed of both sides!
Greed on all sides, defined pension plans do not work and all federal employees had better understand this. On the other side, I better understand why this country is going down the drain just by reading the stupidity in the comments. Have any of you ever been outside of the US. Our postal service is the best by a long shot but there are a lot of things that can be done. All you red states, with your rural delivery and your tiny post offices they have to go, because they are being subsidized by the rest of us. The fact is that there is no more money and they will have to make changes. If you want to mail a letter on Saturday, go to UPS or Fed Ex then you will see the real cost.
hilarious, another reason to blame republicans. it takes 2 parties for a UNANIMOUS VOTE.
Further hilarious that most of you woe is me no saturday mail criers were probably 100% on board with taxing the rich even though it brought in a billion plus less revenue than this change will save.
And herein lies the issue, everyone wants the government to fix itself until they feel iniconveinenced in the slightest by the change. This is the fundamental reason why politicans continue to kick the can down the road instead of bravely making the real tough decisions. Remember, delaying the tiugh choice alwaysa pays double the agony down the road.
They should keep delivering on Saturdays. Regardless!
Why?
because! thats the best reason I got.
As long as it's not you doing the delivering and it doesn't inconvenience you in the slightest, right batz?
You going to make up the 15 billion a year loss.
All I hear in that article is a bunch of whiners. "Wah Wah Wah, I never have time during the week to read my mail therefore they MUST deliver it Saturday as well..." As if that makes sense. The post office is going to be open Saturdays so I can bet that the mail may be there for you to go pick it up, even if it isn't....so what? Everyone is raising a fuss but no one is going to dig into their own wallets to help make up the loss.
I'd rather have no mail delivered on Saturdays than no mail delivered at all.
people are whining just to whine. this was announced during the week on WEDNESDAY February 6th yet the lady in the story who "works crazy hours" was able to immediately show up to complain.
"For Hela Borer, who dropped by a USPS branch on the Upper West Side shortly after the news broke, the move is a raw deal for Americans who work long or unusual shifts on weekdays."
Argh. Even reporters can't get this phrase right. It's couldn't care less, people! Unless, of course, you actually could care less about the thing you don't care about.
I could care less about being correct...
Haha. Funny....
I feel your pain AG99
What are those of us who work during the week supposed to do? Saturday is the only day most of us are around to use the post office and accept deliveries. Are we going to have to take Fridays off so we can sit at home and wait for deliveries now because they won't delivery on Saturdays?
Package deliveries will still happen on Saturdays. It's pretty much only the letters and junk mail that won't be delivered on Saturday.
Have it sent to your work place... signed receipt requested... that is what most of us do now anyway, with the theft problem of packages left on porches. And ps... you can buy stamps online, and have them delivered to your home... just saying...
I'd suggest taking the time to learn to read. Because you obviously do not comprehend what they a re actually doing....
@kat kerr, I work as a vendor for a company through another company. My work physical mailbox for my company is across town at my supervisor's office, which I never go to unless it is an emergency. The other company that I work as a vendor for does not have a mailing address for my office. Your solution would not work.
Package deliveries will still happen on Saturday, but @kat kerr davis, many employers do not allow their employees to receive personal mail/packages at work. I work in an office building where they don't mind, but what about people who work at restaurants, hospitals, or other places that don't have time or resources to worry about personal mail deliveries, much less the liability of what happens if the package is stolen after delivery and before it gets to the recipient? There are others who never visit a home office - visiting nurses, consultants, sales people - they're on the road and may not even get to the office once a week. Don't assume just because you can do something that everyone can....
As said Mr. Idiot, The office will be open on Sat. so you can get it there if you must!
Package deliveries will still happen on saturday...did you read the article?
Michael - do you have any friends or relatives?
Are you incapable of using critical thinking skills to find a viable solution?
Or better yet, just READING?
crikey...I feel like people are struggling at the very basics in life - simple reading and comprehension skills, and REASONING skills...and most importantly, critical thinking skills to solve easy problems - like where could I possibly send this package since I wont be home and I dont trust my neighborhood?
good grief, im losing all hope for America...we really are becoming the armpit of the earth.
I totally agree with you, Jessica.
If this forum is a sampling of the population, we're in trouble. People complaining about something without even bothering to read or understand it is just beyond belief.
I wonder if people even can read and comprehend anything on their own anymore. They'll just let a pundit of their political slant distort everything and tell them what to complain about. That's what it seems to come down to. The news is being reported, but people don't bother to read or listen to the whole story before the political shouting matches start.
Mike-464493, you are so right. Last night on the news one of ABCs blondes said "We'll tell you what to worry about at 6:00". I worry about someone trying to tell me what to worry about. I'ts fear mongering at it's worst.
As for the post office not delivering on Saturdays, the only things that come to my rural mail box is junk mail or some piece of bad news that I can't deal with until Monday anyway. All my bills come via email and I pay them the same way. We went on vacation and our mail was not collected for a week...all junk to be thrown away, except for the transfer checks from a credit card company which were stolen and used fraudulently. Took a month of Saturdays to get that straightened out.
If they want to make money, charge junk mailers 3 times the first class postage rate instead of a reduced rate to mail worthless pieces of paper.
If gov't wages, bennies and retirement were the same as the private sector they wouldn't be in such a mess. Run it like a business and pay as such. I wouldnt care if it was once a week.
The problem though is that the post office is responsible for their own revenue, but they have all these government mandates that prevent the type of cuts etc. that you are talking about. I would care if it was once a week though. I enjoy letters and magazines and I'm not quite willing to trust all my bills to the internet yet.
And if Congress hadn't required the USPS to pre-fund retirement benefits for future employees who haven't been born yet, so they could reduce the apparent budget deficit...
The problem the USPS sytem has is the Federal Govt required they pay for thier pension/workers compensation all the way up to 2050 I believe. So all this red ink crap is nothing but crap. If any business had to pay for all this up front for the next 36 years they would be broke too.
Going to collect all this money on the taxpayers back and then privatize the mail. And of course keep all the money.
And anybody who wants mail on saturday all we have to do is agree to $ 2.00 to mail a letter. Ain't gonna happen.
Pension funding is 5.5 billion per year. USPS lost 15.9 Billion last year. Yes the pension requirement is onerous, but, removing it won't solve the problem, just lessen it.
Also I understand USPS does not spend taxpayer money..but please explain how they can sustain yearly 10+ billion dollar losses and stay in business? Who is funding them willing to throw that kind of money away? Somewhere under this the taxpaye must be on the hook or business reality would have stopped this hemmoragging long ago.
i agree.. run it like the business that it should be. After hearing behind-the-scenes stories of workers playing cards, sleeping, on the phone while on the clock or parked somewhere out of the way just waiting for 4:30 to come I believe this is a bloated government sector that should be done away with. The amount of wasted money that is funneled into the USPS is just unbelievable. If it is not taxpayer supported, where did that $10 billion dollars they lost come from? One way or another we taxpayers end up paying for it.
The elimination of Saturday mail delivery could negatively impact Netflix DVD subscribers. I just called Netflix customer service and the agent had just heard the news himself, but assured me that Netflix will have an acceptable arrangement in place with the Postal Service by August when this change goes into effect. He didn't know whether or not a DVD would be/is classified as a "package", but if it already is, then we have nothing to worry about. And, even if not, since Netflix is the Postal Service's biggest customer, some sort of special arrangement will most likely be worked out.
So you want to pay everyone Walmart wages and take , cut or steal their bennies . That sounds like what this country needs more 2.7% ers solutions!
I really don't understand why anyone thinks that Saturday is the day to pick to be dropped. Yes, it is outside business's "traditional 5 day work week", but consider what Tuesdays will be like at your mailbox every time there is a Monday holiday! No delivery Sat., Sun., or Monday, then, wham!, Tuesday hits. We will spend the rest of the week ( now only Tues.-Fri.) catching up from the extra skipped day. I am not only concerned about mail I want in a timely manner (checks and yes, even the bills), but also about the MOUNTAIN of junk mail that will have to be sorted through, especially on those Tuesdays! Bad idea, bad, bad!
Pj
You're right. I'd have picked Wed myself.
LMAO wow the world is going to end because you have to sort through extra crap in your mailbox because of a holiday. Trust me I get a sunstantial amount of mail between my home and the business I own. And I am not panicing and not hiring anyone for all this extra work you think it will be. I can only surmise that you workl for the postal service and are concerned about your job.
Pj, would it even be possible for you to whine a bit more? It takes about 3 nanoseconds per day to go through the junk mail. Its junk, don't look at it, just throw it away.
Or recycle it, or better yet send it back if they include pre-paid envelopes (along with whatever other junk you can stuff in there).
Sometimes I only check my mail twice a week anyway. I have a little box at an apartment complex, and it still fits up to a week's mail. I'm just grateful for the apt complex management, who has a trash can by the mail boxes so you can pull out your junk before you head back to your apartment. :) (You should've seen how full the trash can was around elections.)
then you all will bitch because the mail isn't on time. Have any of you delivered mail??? If there is no Saturday mail, no Sunday mail and a holiday on a monday--that will be 4 days worth of mail accumulated for Tuesday's delivery. And carriers are not allowed to hold mail back. DELIVER EVERYTHING. How much of a pay cut has people atop the totem pole of the postal service taken...look into that compared to the pay/benefit cuts the workers who actually do the work were forced to take. I'm curious to know if Mr. Donahue has ever slopped thru the snow/sleet to deliver mail?
And those complaining that the postal service "leaves packages in the rain" You, yourself specify where a carrier leaves packages- wether they leave if noone is available or take back to the post office. And I have seen UPS and Fed Ex leave numerous packages on doorsteps as well. So before you spout off about your wet package change your delivery option.
you all keep whining about giving up mail delivery on Saturday if it is such a big deal that you get your mail on Saturday go to the Post Office in your town and get yourself a Post Office Box and give your tired postal carrier a break from dealing with your whinny *** It blows my mind what a big deal this has become.... I deliver the mail 6 days a week and it sucks rain snow sleet sunshine does not matter what we are out in it I would love to have two days to rest from fighting the elements just to get your mail to you.... How many days do you get off in a work week or do you even work at all....So I say once again if you want mail on Saturdays go get rent yourself a Post Office Box at your LOCAL Post Office they probably need the revenue.....
Concerned about wading through mountains of junk mail? Contact the sender of piece you get and demand they remove your name off their mailing lists. Indicate your desire to opt out of junk mail to the three credit reporting agencies. Contact all the customer service centers of your magazine subscriptions and tell them to remove your address from lists sold to third parties (a dirty little secret of many magazines). Get a PO Box and selectively make address changes to keep track of the important senders verses the crap senders.
And stop your whining...
This is, in reality, our own doing. How many of you that are complaining, have opted to have e-billing done? Or have taken yourself off the "junk mail" list. How many of you have written a personal letter in the last 10 years, and not just sent a quick email? It will not matter, in reality, if we don't get that bill till Monday. I have all my bills sent paper style, so I have a paper trail. I have not opted out of junk mail delivery. That, for a large part, has been the post office's bread and butter over the last few years. Don't trash on them. They are only doing what most everyone of us is doing. Look at the big picture, and be glad you get mail.
kat - feel free at any time to join us here in the 21st century.
You are exactly right Kat. How often did you hear about identity theft before the wonderful age of computer banking and shopping and paying online? Back it the good days people actually ENJOYED receiving a letter in the mail. And even now, 46 cents is pretty cheap to send a letter from the East coast to Hawaii. If people choose to pay online they have no one to blame but themselves if they get ripped off. I'm not saying everyone is crooked, it's just safer to pay through the U.S. Mail.
Safer - are you kidding? How much mail gets stolen or is never delivered or delivered late so you get a late fee? It is not at all safer. Need to get with the times.
Seriously, folks? Who cares about Saturday delivery of *mostly* junk mail. I have no problem waiting to get cards, letters, bills, etc until Monday. If this helps the USPS become a more viable business entity, they should do it. If you're so intent on getting whatever random mail you get on Saturday, you should pay more for it. Also, if congress doesn't approve allowing the USPS to make this smart, money saving business move, then they're idiots. For those of you who don't want to lose your Saturday delivery...what happens when the USPS can't afford to function at all any more and you lose them completely?...
Hillary Seattle,
If you want to bring Congress into this, how about asking them to reverse the law they passed a few years ago, that more than the technological shift away from snail mail, has led to this mess? Don't know about that? They made a law that the USPS has to fund its pensions 75 years into the future in its current budgeting. Before you say that that sounds like good business sense, consider that NO other private or public (read GOVERNMENT) company or agency is required to do so. This was simply promulgated by the "let's privatize everything" crowd to try to demonstrate unviability in the USPS, and speed the day when we can all pay a fortune to mail anything other than a package with UPS or FedEx.
PJ..see my other reply. If that requirement had been removed last year, USPS would have lost *only* 10.4 Billion dollars. Remove the requirement? Sure, it will help but will not resolve the issue.
and PJ private businesses just doesn't have defined pension plans anymore because they are not sustainable it is a way for current management and unions to win future benefits that they don't have to pay for, it doesn't work got it and all defined pension plans will be gone in 20 years except hopefully SS. NO that is not the only problem, as usual, we the taxpayers subsidize the rural states that always complain about the liberal blue states. Post offices in towns of less than 1000 people and so on. I grew up in Montana, I have seen it and lived it. Why can't the little store there be the post office instead of a separate building? There are 10% of people in this country without access to the internet, we would be better off investing in that for these people. Last point, for my job I have traveled all over the world and by a long shot, we do have the best postal service in the world.
Hillary, I love getting cards in the mail. I have no complaint with "snail" mail. I would rather not have to give the WHOLE world my email address. I get enough junk mail as it is. I like getting "hand signed" birthday cards and get well card; or just thinking of you cards in the "snail mail". That means that someone really took the time to go out of their way to first buy the card, get a stamp for the card and then mail it. I know y'all say someone could do that online but; they wouldn't have to take a little time thinking about it. Anyone can send an e-card. Not everyone will send a real card that they have taken the time to write something on and actually hand mailed.
I do not like paying bills online. Besides, I'm an old lady and have little to do except work 45 to 48 hours a week. By the way, the post office here is right across the street from where I work. If I mailed it from home, mostly likely it would be stolen from the box or sent to who-knows-where when someone comes around the curve and wipes my mailbox out.That has happened a few times. Sure, I could do most everything online, but I like the personal touch. I don't trust companies to not sell my email address or use my banking info in a fraudulent manner. That's like having someone do your taxes and having them pitch your folder, with all you info in it, out into the dumpster in the back alley when they go out of business or see no need to keep it or destroy it. This has happened. Just ask some good folks from Memphis. It happened to them and they had no recourse because the police couldn't find the folks who ran the defunct tax service. Their social security numbers and financial info was thrown out for the world to see.
Could care less means that you care.
I think its more like 90%. The will save millions in gasoline going to a five day work week and remember overtime (time and1/2) is paid daily when you work over 8 hours, And any time after 10 hours is double time. I worked almost every day off as a letter carrier thats, 8 hours of overtime and anything after that is double time. Whats really sad is the high salarys management is paid to sit on their butts while the Craft employees do all the work
Many countries don't have Saturday delivery and the world has not ended. Here's how it works. If you want it, pay for it. How many people would pay extra for Saturday delivery? What? Hardly anyone? I rest my case.
Any day between Monday and Friday would make more sense. Many people cannot get to the post office except Saturdays.
There's still registered mail, packages, etc.
Who blessed this f/u>
John-3311987- you did not read the article, take a moment to digest it and if you still believe you post is correct re-post it and i'll agree with you
John read the article!!!!!!!!!!
I don't care if we have mail delivery on Saturday. At home, I never have an idea of when my mail might get there (the route is always broken up), and if I get anything, it is usually junk mail. If I don't get any at work on Saturday, then when I come in on Monday morning, I don't have to sift through a whole pile of junk to get my week started.
This is going to kill small businesses that depend on fast delivery of supplies or shipment to customers, especially on weeks with federal Monday holidays which will create a 4 day gap (friday-tuesday) with no service.
Read the article... packages still go through... just not mail.
No it won't because packages will still be delivered plus even it they weren't going to be they could still use UPS or FedEX.
Many businesses depend on mail delivery Monday thru Friday to keep people working. Saturday makes no difference for Business and most people do not care, so Saturday is a good choice. You can still go to the post office on Saturdays if you need to.
NO IT WON'T
And there is always FEDX and UPS for those so desparate for their mail, sucks you can pay $35 plus to get the packaged or mail the next day!
Another one did not read the article...THEY ARE STILL DELIVERING PACKAGES ON SATURDAY!
ONE WORD "UNIONS"
We get very few supplies threw the postal service.
geez
I don't care if we have mail delivery on Saturday. At home, I never have an idea of when my mail might get there (the route is always broken up), and if I get anything, it is usually junk mail. If I don't get any at work on Saturday, then when I come in on Monday morning, I don't have to sift through a whole pile of junk to get my week started.
Personally, I don't care if the Postal Service goes out of business. I have requested to have my mail delivered at the end of my driveway for years instead of a quarter mile away on another road where some of my mail comes up missing on occasion. I do have a solution for them, however. With the economy the way it is and more people defaulting on loans and credit cards, why not require collection agencies to write letters instead of telephoning people a hundred times a day, everyday? The Postal service would be in the black in no time!
I have to believe it is very expensive to pay postal workers on Saturdays. Not only that but name a government office that is open on Saturday? Save a few bucks. Nothing will arrive on Saturday that can't wait until Monday.
I knew there was someone on here that has common sense. Thanks Danman
More jobs lost. This decision will put around 150,000 workers on the unemployment lines nation-wide.
danman, why do you believe it is expensive to pay postal workers on Saturdays? Saturday is actually the first day of our pay weeks...nobody gets paid overtime unless they are required by management to work their day off.
read, read, read, people! POs open on Saturday will still be open under this plan! The last few sentences say it all. It's considered "independent" but "overseen by Congress". Obviously, if you want something really screwed up - make it overseen by Congress, you know, like health care and taxes!
Take it up with the Founding Fathers Tex, they set it up thataway.