Free Republic

Of all the departments of our federal government, the most pointless and unconstitutional is the Department of Education. Since it was created back in 1976, test scores have shown no substantial improvements compared to all the money we are spending. If we are looking for ways to cut back our budget and the debt itself, one of the first places we should look is the Department of Education. The Department of Education's budget has increased over 300% from when it was first established. With this significant increase, one would logically think that test scores of American students would be increasing...

In-town Chicago mail system worst in U.S. CHICAGO, March 11 (UPI) -- A report that Chicago's in-town overnight mail delivery is the nation's worst appears indicative of the city's overall problem with postal satisfaction. The Chicago Sun-Times said that in addition to Chicago's struggles with in-town mail delivery, the Illinois metropolis has been failing in nearly every postal area related to customer satisfaction. While 92 percent remains the average quality rating of U.S postal delivery, only 77 percent of Chicago residents rated their mail services "excellent, very good or good." In response to instances of mail fraud and delivery problems,...

WASHINGTON - The Postal Service said Wednesday it wants to raise the price of a first-class stamp by 3 cents — to 42 cents — and proposed a "forever" stamp that people could use as hedge against future rate increases. The changes would take effect in the spring of 2007 if approved by the independent Postal Rate Commission. "A forever stamp would help ease the transition to any future price adjustments," board Chairman James C. Miller III said. Postmaster General John E. Potter said the agency would not be making a rate change if it were not necessary. "The Postal...

WASHINGTON - Decision time is nearing for the next rate increase by the Postal Service. Postmaster General John Potter has promised that the price of mailing a letter won't go up until 2006. But with the complex procedures needed to raise prices taking 10 months or more, the agency will probably begin the process soon, perhaps in March or April. Complicating matters is the effort to get Congress to change the way the post office is regulated, including relieving the agency of billions of dollars in pension and escrow obligations. The board of governors of the Postal Service is likely...

Last Night, I received my mail after 8:00 pm, PDT. What gives with the Post Office. I remember growing up, the mail person would be quite punctual. Clean and orderly. Now the employees are teenagers (as of last night), and more than 3 hours late... My Uncle was a supervisor at the Van Nuys post office for over 30 years. He would be furious with how things are run today.