No doubt that “Universal Service” is a big issue to the USPS. Part of the problem is that there is no distinction in charges for rural delivery. Both UPS and FedEx charge differently for delivery in those area’s. the other part of the problem is the rationalization and optimization of their networks. The USPS has not gone through that process nearly to the extent as UPS and FedEx have. There is very little incentive for the USPS to do so as they are not held accountable by shareholders like the two private carriers are.
I have worked at several places in my 55 years of working that should have been the best place around to have a job, but because of various things, working there actually pretty much sucked. The post office strikes me as that kind of place to work! It’s an invaluable service, and most customers are appreciative of good service, provided with a smile and a sense of willingness to please. But for some reason it’s nearly impossible to find a happy postal worker. Something about that place seems to suck the work ethic right out of everyone on the job. There motto should be, “If you’ve got what it takes, we’ll take what you’ve got!”