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"Since the U.S.P.S. can't seem to manage their finances properly, provide lousy service and have an attitude about it to boot, isn't it time to let a private company or companies take over the mail service in this country?"

Sure. Why not? The first company that shows up offering to deliver a letter to any address in the country for 39 cents gets my business.

What? No takers? Never mind. I have the USPS.

How about a 1-pound box delivered to any address in the USA, Puerto Rico, Guam, or other US holdings for $4.05. And they'll even supply the box at no charge.

What? No takers? Never mind. I have the USPS.

How about a convenient office in every small town in the USA where you can send your letters and packages?

What? No takers? Never mind. I have the USPS.

Can the USPS do all that without tax subsidies? If not, you're *still* paying more for their services. It's just that you're paying them 1) whether or not you're actually using them, and 2) on your income taxes instead of at point of sale.

Example #1
I live in a large city by most standards. I get my mail between 4:30 and 7 P.M. almost every day. They continuously give me mail that isn't mine and give my mail to other neighbors. When I complain to the post office supervisor he (on at least four occasions) has told me that they don't even have to deliver my mail, if I don't like their service, then I can drive across town to pick it up at the post office. The post office where my mail comes out of is clear across town. There are 3 or 4 post offices between the my neighborhood and the post office that my mail comes out of. So much for efficiency.

Example #2
I had a check sent to me on December 17 that was mailed from the same town that I live in, I still don't have the check.

Example #3

When I go to the local post office those waiting on customers are so slow that my 88 year old neighbor states that she walks faster than they. It is almost comical to go over there to watch them "work". They take baby step and have one speed, which is mosey. It is like a game with them to see who can go the slowest while still moving. "Mother. may I take 6 baby steps?"

Well sa1d MineralMan.

People like to bitch and claim the USPS can't manage its money, and does a poor job. All well and good to spout off and sling charges, but far from the truth.

The USPS is quasi-privatised now, operating as a public corporation and more than meeting the needs of Americans.

The new things they have implemented in the last few years vastly exceed what any of the so-called private carriers do.

Click-N-Ship is nothing short of amazing. Private stamp printing on line is great, both the post-office version and the private third party versions like Stamps.com.

Nobody else will find the right address of some backwater neighborhood in some quiet town to deliver your letter to uncle bob for anywhere near the price.

Yet every time there is another minuscule rate hike the bitchers and carpers come out of the wood work ready to dismantle one of the most successful undertakings of the US Government.

Tell you what anti-Post Office winers: Write your congressman. But don't mail the letter for 39cents. Send it FedEx or UPS for 7 to 12 dollars.

You are aware that it's illeagal for private companies to deliver 1st Class Mail aren't you? You probably think the government has outlawed competing with the Post Office to protect consumers, right?

And since I've worked for them since 1986, yeah, I'll take them too :) We're governmental but can run like a business.
A successful one.

On second thought, let's go private and have people pay
$1 for a stamp; cut back on delivery...Privatize the
military too, while we're at it. I'm sure they could do
a better job that way (/ sarcasm) :)