Kinda' weird eh!
At the same time the most advanced technology available in the field of robotics has made the USPS the most efficient postal operation in the world ~ achieving a 700% improvement in productivity per workhour in just a few years.
Currently Congress doesn't want USPS to lay off about 200,000 employees so it can realize further productivity gains.
USPS has no technological or system problems ~ it has Congress standing on its neck.
It's fair to say that the USPS suffers from sclerotic management and poor employee training, but it is wrong to bash it to the degree that's become stylish.
And you're right -- it is Congress's oversight that's hobbled the Post Office. Two issues come to mind immediately.
The USPS is forbidden to ship alcoholic beverages which cuts them out of the growing market for mail-order wine. Millions of revenue foregone annually.
And then, several years ago, Congress got on its high horse and forbade the shipment of cigarettes in the mail -- all for the chiiiiilllldrennn, of course. Another few million dollars of revenue lost.
And when the P.O. announced the closing of several thousand local post offices, Congress, not wanting -- understandably -- to hear the screams of its rural constituents [of which I'm one], nixed it.
It's a no-win situation being a business run by the government.