If we don't require and can't fund this service, it has to be reduced or eliminated. This would be a good beginning as an example of what needs to be done for our country to to rebound from our financial funk.

It is important that we maintain a national postal system in some form! Communication other than the Internet is imperative to the long term safety of our country! If the postal systems is replaced I think most working class and middle class Americans will be impacted the mist! Just look at the train system and what is happening in the airline industry! Private industry has proven that once they get their greedy hands on anything profit becones the bottom line! Yes, our PO need to change to move into the 21 Century ?? But let's not throw the baby out with the bath water ! I still write letters, send cards, gifts and buy stamps! I pay all bills on the Internet! There is a need for a national post office! I don't trust private industry to get my mail anywhere, and keep it secure! Reinventing the wheel is stll a wheel!!!!

We still need postal services--there has to be a compromise or some type of solution. Reducing mail delivery days might help reduce their loses. They could also consider privatizing the postal service; other countries have done this successfully.

The postal service has and probably always be a a state of evolution. The Pony Express served us well when paper and pen made up messages too long for telegrams. Now we have emails and online bill pay and consumer purchasing.

I suppose the logical first step is to cut out a delivery day, most likely Saturday at first. Or we go back to getting our mail at the post office and not delivered to our home/office. The day will come when the cost will just be too prohibitive.

I don't see it as political at all...just a natural evolution of a processing that has been changing since it began. "Rain, hail, sleet or snow...." Until the cost of mailing exceeds the cost of your home. ; )

Just a note from a (lowly) letter carrier from outside your community, York, PA. In 2006 the congress began requiring the P.O. to pre-fund retirement payments for the next 75 years. 75 years. This fund will cover an entire generation of employees who have not even been hired yet. We have to pay 5.5 billion into this fund every year until 2016, at which time there will be about $55 billion in the fund.
No other government agency has to do this. No other government agency even comes close to puting away this kind of money. No private company puts away this kind of reserve for retirement.
If the P.O. were free of this burden it would have turned a small profit in three of the past five years.
Congress is unwilling to remove this requirement for two reasons. If they were to recind this rule and give us our money back, it would appear on the books as if they had spent of "lost" $33 billion. Not good for campaigning. And, if congress does "privatise" or sell off the Postal Service, there will be billions of dollars in the retirement fund to pay the bill for the retirement of current employees and more. Quite a sweet deal for the "buyer". Thanks for listening.

Its all very simple---how does UPS and Fed Ex exist?? The Post Office USPS needs to raise their rates to those of the above---try insuring anything of value with FEd Ex or UPS and you will soon discover what a bargain the Post Office is---they need to simply raise their rates to private carriers

One of my neighbors is a letter carrier. He tells me that some of the delivery routes are done by contractors (not postal service employees).
I think the 1st step that USPS needs to take is eliminate a delivery day.
The 2nd step is for the politicians to get out of the way, and let the postal service close locations as they see fit. They have worked with private businesses (Office Depot, Walgreens) to sell postage. Office Depot also sells both UPS and USPS shipping services, which forces both organizations to compete for our shipping dollars.
The US Postal Service needs to exist, but if they aren't making money appropriate steps need to be taken in order to keep the organization going.

I was recently surprised at how few people on my block (25 houses of middle income families), had computers, only three families. Without the postal service these families could be cut off from so much, having only TV, radio, or word of mouth. We who have computers really don't think there maybe many others who don't. Unless we want the government to provide all citizens with them (tongue in cheek), along with the training and the overcoming of any reluctance, we may still need the postal service.

News Flash! "The Post Office is not broke -- and it hasn't taken any of our tax money since 1971"
That's the headline in the March 2012 issue of The Hightower Lowdown, started by Jim Hightower (writer, speaker, commentator, and two-term Texas Agriculture Commissioner).

Some points: The USPS is not profitable. So what? Most government agencies are not profitable. That's not their purpose -- they provide a service. (But in 1971 Pres. Nixon "reformed" the Post Office to make it run like a business.)

The USPS has lost $13 billion in the last four years. Well, no. In 2006 Congress and Bush enacted the Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act: the USPS has to "PREPAY the health care benefits not only of current employees, but also of all employees who'll retire during the next 75 years . . . No other agency and no corporation has to do this" (page 2).

So why the push to privatize or squash or reduce it? Follow the money.
Who would benefit? In the 1960s the chairman of AT&T headed a presidential commission to reform the Post Office. He said "If I could, I'd make the Post Office a private enterprise." The FedEx CEO in 1999 pushed for "closing down the USPS." They may know its cost, but not its value.

The Post Office is an important part of the democratic fabric of America (authorized in the Constitution: Article I, Section 8). It's an important part of many communities.
Don't let corporate America take that over.

Its all about poor customer service at the counter. Figure it out! What is the face of the postal service? Most of us are at work or away when the letter carrier drops the daily mail. If we have any opinion at all of our letter carrier, ist probably favorable. Whats not to like?

The issue is the employees who work behind the counter when we need to visit our local post office for stamps, sending packages, or other retail services. They are rude and uncaring and act like you are bothering them. Who wants to deal with that?

Our local post office can't seem to grasp that customers will use their noon lunch hour or break period to run out for stamps or whatever. The 2 or 3 counter people take their lunch hours from 11:30 on so when you come in there is 1 window open and 5-6-8-10 people in line. Stand out front of the post office and watch people walk in, see the line, walk out without completing their purhcase. Or better yet watch the look and body language of a customer walking out after standing in line for 25 minutes and being barked at by a rude clerk.

The postal service has created their own mess. Its not email, Fedex, Brown. Compare the customer service between these companies, USPS can't compete.

Artichoke Annie, where are you from? I used to grow artichokes in my backyard on the Pacific Coast near San Francisco. No I am in Missouri. Here in Missouri the locals say "What's an artichoke - ha ha ha.

I feel that the US Postal service has an attitude problem. They are a reflection of our failing government. It seems that the Postal Service has lost it's competitive edge. I agree that Congress is no help. I think Congress is a conspiracy waiting to happen or has already happened.

Forget blaiming anyone. The Postal Service needs to ratchet it up and get into the game of competition. UPS, Fed-Ex, Mail Boxes Etc. are competing and that is exactly why they exist.

I will tell you who is at fault here. It is the UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE and it is up to the UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE to compete or close their doors. No more bail outs!

Amen about the postal requirement to pre fund retirement. Could you imagine other agencies doing this, esp states? They want to make this a political issue to make taxpayers are being spared if they shut down post offices. The problem is the public, and news reporters, don't even know about this fund and that we are not funding it. Thanks for info postal workers. And what you do, six days a week...

The money that could be saved by just closing them all just one day could save tons of money. I say close them down on junk mail Monday. Then they have there 2 days off (Sunday and Monday). And it keeps the doors open on Saturday when most folks are off and can still do there postal shopping.

Chesterfield surely has an attitude problem!!!

The Post Office needs to expand! It needs to offer fax services, e-bill pay services, copy services and a notary service. The Post Office needs to become more than just a place to buy stamps and mail a letter or package. It needs to continue servicing the community as always, but expand the services it offers. They charge 45 cents for a stamp, they could charge .50 cents for a e-bill pay transaction; $5.00 for notary services; .75 cents per page for fax services - sending or receiving; .25 cents per copy. There are numerous ways the Postal Service could expand (at a minimal cost) and earn money and continue to be a trusted asset to the community.

Our mail carrier is great. Problem with PO might be partially solved with discontinuing Saturday deliveries and NO more advertising on TV or sponsoring teams such as the Tour France team.

The Postal Service is solvent if it wasn't required to pre-fund pensions within such a short amount of time, something no private company is required to do. It's been holding its own for a few years, losing ground because of this very requirement. Stretch out the time and it's solvent, and necessary...but privatizing it has been the goal all along for some.

No Saturday delivery and charge a bit more for junk mail and lot more for political mail

How about this,
1.. All subdivision have a lot with a building a few spots for parking for mail boxes, This is one stop for them, It would save thousands in gas and time.
2.. If you want mail to be delivered, 10 bucks a month for home deliver.
3..No sat delivery
4..No more pension to new hires
5. .The Post Office needs to expand as said above, Like ??????????FED X
6..Let the postal service close locations as they see fit. Also as above
That would be a good start.

1st there is a large neighborhood on my route that has to be walked due to mailboxes being attached to the houses. I would do away with all walking routes and have those neighborhoods put up street side boxes. Because of this I do not have a steady mail person because no one wants the route and I don't usually get my mail till after 4pm. The service is lacking as well one guy does not even bother to close the mail box door half the time. The other thing that I would do is eliminate a day or two, I would eliminate Monday first since several holidays are on Monday. Without knowing where the money is going I could not answer any other problems because with the junk mail I get I can not understand how they could not be making money.

The USPS would be very profitable if not required by Congress to fund their retirement system as no other entity does. It is obvious this Congress is simply determined to eliminate the USPS by any means possible for ideological reasons. The only solution is to elect a Congress that will pursue rational governance of the country rather than their personal, bizarre ideology.

The Post Office needs to exist to serve the small rural communities. Most of these comments are about local, suburban, cities where they have access to high speed internet. What about central Kansas, Nebraska, Colorado, Wyoming....ect? The PO could be profitable if they could close small, un-profitable locations, however, they aren't a business. They provide a service. A vital service to US citizens living in all areas of the country where internet service is out of the question.

Small town post offices need to close, Saturday delivery needs to be canceled and first class mail needs to be stream lined. The biggest issue is pensions as with many public employees. There needs to be better control because if it fails everyone will be hurt.

O'Fallon's Bulk mail process is a joke not to mention customer service there also! I think they are putting themselves out personally!

Start charging online bill payment the price of a stamp to mail it. Start with mortgage and car payments. How much revenue would this bring...

WANT TO SAVE THE P.O.
No more overnight delivery. No certified or special services.
FIRE ALL EMPLOYEEs Now and re-hire
Anyone who wants to work for the average USA. wages.
That's it people, pure and simple. I predict the P.O. will double it's number of Workers at a profit operation. Employment in this country will increase. Rehired or layoff P.O. workers can do the job they are skilled to do. No college education is necessary. Those who think they cannot support a family here can apply at FedX or UPS.
A simple (red-white-blue) box to drop your mail into.

Picked up and hand delivered.

One more thought:
Anyone see any comparison to the US Post Office demise to FedX or UPS alternatives?

Of Course! It's our Public Education system vs the Alternative private education just as useful for every American.
Except, the Government "forces" you to use the public education by forced Tuition taxation (labelled Real estate and Auto Pers Prop taxes)

Can you imagine if you could just stop paying for public education and send your "public education STAMP charge" to your alternative Private school?.
Yes! people - FedX and UPS are the alternatives as your local private school is.
Just start asking for the Real estate tax back so you could afford a better Private education Like Fedx UPS gave you.
There would still be a P.O. today , if you all were forced Taxed to keep the loser going.
Once the Real estate tax is removed from those who do not need the Public school,
ALL will have lower Tax bills.
You paid for a stamp as needed to mail a letter.
You pay for your public education every year --until the day you die.
That is totally wrong. That is the reason many average families cannot afford their homes and automobiles.
When will this Missouri start screaming for a real analysis and truth to the $100,000 annual costs of our education system. A cost that is not susatinable.
"Affordable Education Act" is what we need.

Simple!
Shut down the post office. Give early retirement to all employees.
Form a joint venture between UPS and FEDEX.
Let them run it on a private basis for profit.
What to tcall the Joint venture?
"FEDUP", of course!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
R. W. Kent

Robert Kent: Is a Patriot!
Stopping Govt support of anything leads to eventual demise.
The P.O. did not change their structure. Until people had alternatives.
Freedom to choose WINS every time.

Stay on board Robert. It's time the Liberals on the Patch get some return Fire.
A call for more conservative thoughts here will transform this country into much more powerful "Freedom"
They should all be warned if you take the "FREE" out of "FREEDOM"

You are left with only the "DOM" (Pronounced DUM).

The Brentwood Post Office was "CLOSED FOR LUNCH" today. They closed the metal curtain and put up a hand written note: Closed For Lunch 11:30 to 12:30. You can't even make this up its so stupid.

my mail service in st peters is sh**. its consistently delivered after 5pm and ITS WRONG more time than not I have my neighbors mail or vice versa. HOW hard is it to deliver it before 5 and be correct?? When I complain to st peters they basically tell me to get over it they don' t have enough people to fill the jobs and they have to take what they get. Last week I threw mail in the box OUTSIDE the post office, it had 3 pick up times listed on the box through out the day, at 445 pm nothing had apparently been pulled out of the box because when I threw my letters in the box was filled to the top ready to fall out. complete joke the st peters post office is.

I would have to agree with Joanna re: St. Peters USPS office. I was starting to think that was just the way of the postal service now until moving into St. Louis City a year ago. In my estimation, mail delivery takes a full day longer whenever it has to pass through the St. Peters postal office.

I am in favor of putting Horse stalls in the front of each Post office not doing their job.
Sometimes an image speaks louder than words.
Even a $3 stamp would not support this "quasi-Govt" Post office for one reason only.

"BLOATED WAGES AND BENFITS" "STILL PAYING FOR THOUSANDS OF RETIREES"
The major costs of Post Office is the enormous $60,000 annual benfits to retirees,
(While you would only get $20,000 from your Soc Sec retirement)

NOTE WELL:
Our Public School System is heading down the same road.
Already , the quality is deteriating and the tremendous retirement obligation cost is about 5 to 10 years.
Google--San Bernadino, San Jose, Stockton California Cities. (All in Bankruptcy)
Google-- Harrisburg, PA (another city bankruptcy)

ALL BECAUSE OF GOVERNMENT PUBLIC SECTOR GREED!
Your comments are only words-- Votes are Action! Get changes NOW!

They have to stay open. They're part of America's Oneness.

What about using the post offices in some alternative ways, also? A network as ginormous as that should have creative possibilities... and as we evolve with technology etc and learn what does and doesn't work, who knows how we'll use that communication system.

Competitive advantages? What are theirs and what new ones can be developed?

It's just a gut feeling I have, I suppose, but I say they have Got to stay open.

I don't mind crabby clerks as long as they do the job right -- give 'em some extra smiles and thank-you's. :) I SO appreciate all the gifts they have shipped for me to people in other states. Not that another company couldn't do it, but it just feels right having them do it. And the packages have always arrived on time and in great condition.

Thank You, U.S. Post Office!! :)) Love and Gratitude.

<sigh>
does the CIA make money? No.
does the FBI make money? No.
does the Pentagon make money? No.
does the Treasury make money? Well, not in the way I mean here.

Do you get the point???

Oh, and for those of you who keep whining about tax dollars going towards the USPS -- HELLO!! knock knock. Anyone home??? It does not use tax dollars. Duh!! No matter how many times you say it does that doesn't make it true! Sheesh, you won't be convinced by truth or facts, will you?

And @ Paul Reverse, your arguments have so many logical fallacies and non sequiturs I have been ignoring them. As mama in Forrest Gump said, "you can't fix --"

@ Paul Reverse -- maybe over this Labor Day Weekend (check the history on that one, buddy) you should watch Forrest Gump.

Then maybe momma's quote will hit home: "You can't fix __"

Happy Labor Day, and thank the unionists who fought against the capitalists to get rid of child labor, get a 40-hour week, OSHA, health care, etcetera, etcetera, etcetera.

Taylor:
One more Point- Firemen and Policemen Unions are at the Top of my
Love-$support list. They -Sir Protect me every-day. They are Defense we ALL USE
against the forces of "People evils and Evils of Nature"

YOU are incapable of making that destinction on UNIONS.
YOU actually are wrong about Unions helping Workers get a better Pay.
Public Sector Unions are the Single most reason Cities Go Bankrupt.
In case you missed my previous posts--Go google --San Jose Calif-San Bernadino Calif-and Stockton Cal--Harrisburg Penn-- and soon some Illinois Cities about to fold.

ALL---ALL--ALL--ALL-- BANKRUPT because of the "Public Sector Unions" WHO destroyed- Not helped --Many Financial Lives of Hard working Americans Forced to pay a "Stipend" to a work force that is now considered the 1%.

background of the USPS, The post office, its past record, its present condition and its potential relation to the new world era, Daniel Calhoun Roper, chairperson of the United States Tarriff Commision, and First Assistant Post Master General, 1913-1917. www.postalmag.com/joygoldberguspsstress.pdf, or AWPU 3800 first area tricounty local , PA , library, "How the ongoing violation of the guiding principles of the USPS are creating a toxic work enviroment", www.billburrasjounral.org-misc ( do search in goggle to find) go to elevator scroll read " phoney excuses for diverting usps revenues" and ' myths versus facts" ALEC/Koch Cabal The Privitization of the USPS for Ups and FedEx, bob sloan, vltp( net) also do search to find , examiner.com Tim McCown , june 10,2012, "behind all the schemes and lies of the privitization of the USPS." sribd( net) The battle for democracy and the USPS, www.savethepostoffice.com, and post office in crisis, the michigan postal workers union at www.mpwu.com/post_office_in_crisis.htm

up until 2006 when the postal service made a big profit, postal workers had taken cuts in pay, health benifits and retirement benifis worth 200 billion, in 2000, 2001 they were made to pay in an extra 15 percent to thier retriement systems, fers and csrs , both congress and the president thanked them for their sacrifice, the increase was removed in 2002 and then the paea was passed by voice vote in 2006, along with that 72 thousand dollars a year increase was givng to pmg potter and 12 others, while postal craft employees are takinga reduction in work force for having overpaid in retirment system by billions of dollars, see postal comments to the federal trade commision august 6, 2007, federal budget treatment of the usps, oig report 2009, reduction of staff via attrition is touted as a gradual process in which 244,000 people have not been replaced in the workforce with expanded retirment that is being taken out of the profits of the USPS .Along with that their have been sucides due to the lack of replacement of attrition, deaths by heart attacks, strokes and also on the routes of the usps, due to overwork and stress in the workplace, plus stealing of paychecks or time clock rings that has been denied in the legal system as well. solutions is that this never should of occured in the first place.

At least once a week, my mail goes to the wrong address, and "sometimes" I get it sometimes I don't. I say lets start running the Post Office and the goverment as a business. If they don't make a profit. FIRE some people,,CUT cost, Or CLOSE it down. With the internet, smartphones, tablets. I really don't see a need for the Post Office. If I ran my company like the post office, I would be out of business, or maybe I could go and make myself some more money, like they always do.