I Wanna Go Postal

After working for 15 years in the USPS and another 20 plus in an ancillary business I'm not going argue whether the USPS is the best run fed agency but it does come close.

We all like to pipe dream about privatization but I'm not sure the public would be ready for the sticker shock that goes with it.

Consider. The USPS standard for a first class letter from my home in VA to BrianR in CA is three days, which does happen more often than not, and costs 41 or 42 cents. I forget what the rate is right now.

The same letter sent by UPS, figuring to improve deliver by just one day, would cost $21. FedEx would be competitive with UPS.

Privatization might indeed improve deliver standards but it ain't going to be cheap. The private carriers like UPS might be able to absorb the postal system but once they do, and are bound to deliver everywhere, everyday, it will just become a much more expensive USPS.

The value added benefit of UPS, for example, is that they come with the right to strike and are represented by the Teamsters Union.

Lots of problems with privatization!

Scottsdale, AZ.
I have always viewed the drivers and carriers and really most of the people whether at FedEX or UPS or USPS as the best advertising they could have with a few glaring exceptions.
I view this from a purely public v. private standpoint. Private means if I don't use it, I don't have to subsidize it when it fails. Or at least it used to mean that.
What I would really like to see is the removal of the Private Express Statutes. Then UPS, FedEx and whoever can try if they want to enter the letter carrying business.
I think they (UPS, FedEx) could compete. If they were able to then USPS could be privatized safely. Maybe give the employees a huge chunk of the stock when they do it.