The USPS needs to continue to exist, but almost exclusively because of very old treaty obligations. We bent over backwards to get about every country on the planet to agree to an international mail system, something that has never been seen before or duplicated. It took two different empires, the British and American, to make it happen.
However, that being said, the USPS as it exists today, can be both significantly downgraded, and opened up to competition. But still emphasizing some unique qualities which it has as a para-government operation.
The most important of these would be “secure and certified” mail. That is, the legal part of mail delivery, as the equivalent of a bonded courier backed by the force of law. For example, they could deliver secure mail to a person or their representative that would require a fingerprint and digital picture (camera in the pad), along with a signature for release.
This could include process service, notarization, sworn statements, legal documents, high value items like jewelry, etc.
The USPS would give up on advertisement mail, and would also have to compete for 1st class mail. This would require variable costs for postage in the US, even if international mail costs had to stay the same.
Agreed,
The USPS cannot cease to exist, and while EMAIL and online bill pay have reduced the volume and use of the system, it is still a lifeline and will never be able to be completely eliminated for reasons you have mentioned and others.
Its a neccessary system, and it should NOT EVER be allowed to not exist, what it needs to do is restructure its spending, and get rid of the union nonsense. Not opposed to a living wage, but compensation is completely out of whack with the private sector equivalent.. like a LOT of “government” jobs.