[Seahawk]

This is an interesting discussion, one I find particularly compelling because the service provided is so ubiquitous to us that it bears looking at once in a while. The service is also very cheap. I don't spend even a fraction of my income on postage, packages, letters or bulk mailings.

A tank of gas a year? Maybe? I bet I spent 5 times more on internet service to take advantage of "free" online bill paying services.

The vast amount of mail my business sends out is what I like to call "affirmation" mail, paper copies of direct deposits, 401K's, etc. Even the stuff I like, magazines and periodicals, fliers, are available in other, more efficient media.

All redundant but it is essential to virtually all our customers and employees. To me.

So, why save the USPS beyond the fact that it is a bargain, really? Simple. Rural, disadvantaged users. They may not see the FEDEX truck much, but the mail hits their mailbox six days a week, with stuff that matters and then takes their mail out to folks that matter to them.

It works, inefficiently, but it works. I would like to see the business plan that accounts for the rural user, ten miles up a bad road that gets serviced regardless.