As I said: “The U.S. Postal Service is also prime example of any form of government trying to operate a “for profit” business. Due to Political Correctness, it simply can’t be done.”
All that they can think of while business is spiraling down is to raise the cost of their services...which in turn...creates an even greater need to improve technical innovations to improve both the quality, cost and speed of transmitted data and the movement of packages.
Now, the worst of all is that a trip to the post office is very similar to going to the DMV. You can’t simply go in the door, conduct business and walk out without the “gut wrenching” waiting in line while the postal clerk takes 5 to 10 minutes per customer to simply conduct a simple transaction. Worse yet, when there are 4 counters available when long lines are present, they never have more than two of them open.
The postal service created it’s own demise through BAD service and poor management at the senior levels. When new technology came along, they did not embrace it nor did they make it available in their stations for the public. Back in the 80’s why didn’t the have fax machines in the lobby for paying customers? Later, when computers and the internet came along, why didn’t they have a lobby with “pay” computers with email available?
The answer is very simple...It never ever crossed their minds that technology and more efficient private carriers would ever impact them. Why? Well! After all, they are the United States Postal Service and have the EXCLUSIVE authority to carry mail!
Now, answer this question: Back in the 1950’s the postal service was highly efficient. We could almost set the time (plus/minus 10-20 minutes) that the mail carrier (his name was David) would deliver the mail to the house. Each and every day...the same carrier...the same efficient process and at a cost of $.03 cents a letter. He didn’t drive a little truck, he walked.
Now, we pay $.44 for a letter mailed, we never know when the postman will arrive and even if he will deliver the correct mail to the correct address (which is extremely common) and he drives a special truck (that costs far more than the modified Jeeps they used to drive only in areas where walking was not feasible) to his route so he can deliver his walking route one block at a time.
Try this test and see whether or not your beloved postal service has any chance competing with private enterprise:
First, you will need a stopwatch. Next (Test 1) go to your post office to buy 25 stamps. Start the timing when you enter the door. Stop the watch when you actually exit the building. Did you notice how long it took to actually reach the clerk. Did you notice how many pieces of paperwork the clerk had to fill out or stamp with a rubber stamp before the transaction was completed? Remember this for later tests with private systems.
Now, the next test (Test 2) perform the timing test as stated above. Start the time when you enter the building. See how long it takes to get to the clerk. Then see how many rubber stamps are placed on the package even though you already have the address on it and then notice the “new” computer system they have on their stations...especially the keyboard! Notice anything different about it? Well, here’s the hint...it’s not a standard keyboard...it has all numbers and alpha characters in order so the clerk has to “hunt and peck” to make any entry. Highly efficient huh? They might as well be typing text into a cell phone. When you leave the building check the time.
Now, go to United Parcel Service and ship a package. Be sure to time it for it will be very fast and efficient. Notice the lack of rubber stamps and long lines?
Now, for the reception of packages. Notice when the UPS delivers a package and a proof of deliver is executed it takes about 30 seconds for the driver to complete the transaction. Everything is computerized and in order BEFORE he reaches his door. The only thing required is to simply sign his electronic book and state your name verbally.
Now, do the same thing with the USPS. First, you have to start your timing as the truck stops at your location, for the driver has to do some serious “hunting and pecking” on his already obsolete computerized tablet (complete with keys for typing) and then he will eventually exit the truck to deliver the package. When he delivers the package, he has to do some serious manual manipulation of the obsolete device to enter information as to the time and name of the recipient. In all, I usually time the delivery at about 5-7 minutes per package.
How do I know all of this? I own a business that ships packages exclusively. I also use United Parcel Service exclusively. Why? Because of the horribly inefficient service provided by the Post Service in the shipping and receiving of packages.
Well, you just keep on delivering your mail and keep “whistling past the graveyard” for your day of obsolescence will eventually come too.
The greater body of modern mail consists of legally required notices, bills, and LO AND BEHOLD direct mail advertising.
Regarding the Xerox machine, its invention INCREASED THE AMOUNT OF MAIL SUBSTANTIALLY.
The reasons for that phenomenon are many and varied but come down to this ~ Xerox cut the cost of small volume advertising and business communications (identical letters to all the bosses in 50 offices across the country) to the extent it was affordable to do mailings that had previously been unmailable due to the high cost of preparing the documents.
You also made another mistake (besides not knowing the history of the impact of these inventions on mail volumes), you assumed wrongly that personal mail and messaging decisions are based on the same factors as business mail and messaging decisions.
They aren't. Alas, I don't have time for a morning lecture on the nature and history of business and personal mail in the United States, but let me say this about that anyway ~ emails aren't free. And emails aren't the problem. Declines in volume and the LOSS of heavy First Class Mail pieces are the problem ~ the former the creation of the Great Obama Recession and the latter the effect of a federal law (discussed here before in the context of Hawaii birth certificate records maintenance and retrieval systems) that allowed DIGITAL RECREATIONS of business and legal documents to be submitted as legal documents provided state law allowed that to be done.
All the heavy FCM (First Class Mail) except for merchandise items DISAPPEARED OVERNIGHT.
Today's modern UPS operation was invented by United States Post Office Department employees.
Now FedEx is a tad different. The Postmaster of Gary, Indiana had pretty much figured out a quite elaborate beneficial employee suggestion. He submitted it. Didn't even get a response. His son was attending college with a guy named Frederick W. Smith. Dad's ideas got transmitted. Fred wrote a paper on an express service, handed it in, and didn't get an A for the effort. Kind of the response the Postmaster at Gary got from postal management.
So, there you have it. Secret History ~ the best kind ~ and it says the career people OPERATING the Postal Service just below the ranks of the Vice Presidents (formerly Assistant Postmaster Generals) have good ideas (FedEx and UPS) and know how to get stuff done.
The USPS would be improved immeasurably simply by making all PCES and higher positions ELECTIVE! The Board of Governors does not help at all.
You'll notice on these Freeper threads that sometimes you'll have someone complaining about USPS selling envelopes, boxes and tape. GUESS WHY THEY COMPLAIN?