Election Comments
- Thread starter oddfellow4870
- Start date
Lets face it... Most of all politicians have a "daddy" to bail them out. Being a draft dodger or a crook bears no party favoritism.... (they're equally guilty). For as much as you jump on W for avoiding Viet Nam... You should equally bury Clinton... But you won't. That’s my whole point about the Democrats lately. They’ve become what the Republicans were in the early 90’s. .
Not sure that the FedEx / USPS charge for service is quite on target. I pay less for a FedEx overnight letter - reqular delivery not open of business - than for the similar USPS Express Mail next day letter. They are kinda close though. Haven't compared other rates e.g. packages etc.
Note that USPS has huge infrastructure - trucks, buildings that is tax fee - I think - and much of which was purchased befor quasi privatization. Of course, FedEx not encumbered with a Fed Emp Union.
Note that USPS has huge infrastructure - trucks, buildings that is tax fee - I think - and much of which was purchased befor quasi privatization. Of course, FedEx not encumbered with a Fed Emp Union.
Apples and Oranges
It makes no sense to compare the USPO to FedEx. They're in completely different industries.
FedEx specializes in rapid delivery of packages and time sensitive letters.
The Post Office offers these services, but they're main product is delivery of small, non-time sensitive material at incredibly small prices (and yet Americans still bitch about 3 cent price increases) and with almost universal coverage (the post office maintains a large number of 'branches' that are ultimately unprofitable, but they're mission is to provide postal service to everyone in the United States).
One reason that the Post Office is quasi governmental is because the ability to communicate via post is seen as something of an entitlement. As a country, we do not want to end up with some large percentage of the rural population cut off from post service for profit reasons.
I send out over 4000 pieces of first class mail every month at less than $.35 per piece. For my $.35 cents I get reasonable delivery time (95% within a week), returns on failed deliveries (95% within a month) and address correction service. If we suppose (rather simplistically) that the post office gets a 33% break by not paying taxes, I still don't think any private delivery firm could offer that service at $.50 per piece. (Nor would they be interested).
And for the record, I use FedEx a lot for package service, but they end up screwing up my delivery a good 10% of the time (UPS is far worse). If you really want a good delivery company, use Airground Express.
It makes no sense to compare the USPO to FedEx. They're in completely different industries.
FedEx specializes in rapid delivery of packages and time sensitive letters.
The Post Office offers these services, but they're main product is delivery of small, non-time sensitive material at incredibly small prices (and yet Americans still bitch about 3 cent price increases) and with almost universal coverage (the post office maintains a large number of 'branches' that are ultimately unprofitable, but they're mission is to provide postal service to everyone in the United States).
One reason that the Post Office is quasi governmental is because the ability to communicate via post is seen as something of an entitlement. As a country, we do not want to end up with some large percentage of the rural population cut off from post service for profit reasons.
I send out over 4000 pieces of first class mail every month at less than $.35 per piece. For my $.35 cents I get reasonable delivery time (95% within a week), returns on failed deliveries (95% within a month) and address correction service. If we suppose (rather simplistically) that the post office gets a 33% break by not paying taxes, I still don't think any private delivery firm could offer that service at $.50 per piece. (Nor would they be interested).
And for the record, I use FedEx a lot for package service, but they end up screwing up my delivery a good 10% of the time (UPS is far worse). If you really want a good delivery company, use Airground Express.
If you want to get really pissed off, look at revenues vs. costs for the various classes of service from the USPS. The bulk mailers actually pay less than it costs to deliver the bulk mail, and first class and other services are used to support that shortfall..... that's right, we not only get the junk mail, but we pay for it as well.
I send my 'bulk mail', first class (Actually Presort First Class Automation)
Adress correction service alone is worth the extra $.15 per piece.
God, I hate how much I know about mass mail outs.
But I deal extensively with the post office, and I will say there is a completely different level of service you get as a business customer
As far as the spending vs. productivity for government, I agree. I just think there are certain tasks that are inherently better suited for government or quasi government agencies - most of those tasks involve some notion of universal coverage.
SB - Interesting. Especially since there isn't a whole lot of alternative to presort standard (formarly known as 'bulk') out there.
Adress correction service alone is worth the extra $.15 per piece.
God, I hate how much I know about mass mail outs.
But I deal extensively with the post office, and I will say there is a completely different level of service you get as a business customer
As far as the spending vs. productivity for government, I agree. I just think there are certain tasks that are inherently better suited for government or quasi government agencies - most of those tasks involve some notion of universal coverage.
SB - Interesting. Especially since there isn't a whole lot of alternative to presort standard (formarly known as 'bulk') out there.
ROFLMAO
http://www.washtimes.com/op-ed/20021120-845596.htm
Remember? It was about his "conscience"...
http://www.washtimes.com/op-ed/20021120-845596.htm
Remember? It was about his "conscience"...
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