[GeronL]

Here is an idea.

Use the periodical sorting machines we all paid for and fire those unionized or non-unionized people who aren’t needed.

[af_vet_rr]

These two things don't seem to mix:

"We've listened to our customers in rural America and we've heard them loud and clear. They want to keep their post office open," Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe said in a statement. "We believe today's announcement will serve our customers' needs and allow us to achieve real savings to help the Postal Service return to long-term financial stability."

The Senate last month passed legislation that would curb those plans, delaying a decision on Saturday delivery for at least two years and making it harder to close post offices, particularly in rural areas.

How in the Hell is the Post Office supposed to save money if Congress steps in and prevents them from closing post offices where they lose money??????

People want the Post Office run like a business, but most businesses don't have Congressional critters stepping in and telling them what stores they can't close or what hours they have to keep.

You have to give credit to the folks living in rural areas - they made themselves heard by their Congressional critters, and their Congressional critters stepped in to protect their post offices. Too bad they are screwing things up for the rest of us.

[bigbob]

Spineless.

It is absolutely necessary to cut those offices and facilities and go to a reduced delivery schedule to make the USPS competitive...yet they won’t do it. Who besides the unions would be behind such a brain-dead move?

[Blue Ink]

This is a good decision. It would be a bad move to close rural post offices. We shouldn’t be making it harder for Americans to live in small towns and out in the country.

And of course, the Post Office is unprofitable. It’s not supposed to make money. It’s exactly like the Federal Highway System, which doesn’t make money either, and yet you don’t hear people proposing we shut down I-40.

And if you insist on profit, think about how the Post Office has paid off in ways you don’t think about. It’s one of the ways we grew to be the greatest economy the world has ever seen.

The Post Office is one of the few things that government should do.

Could it be run more efficiently? Sure. But that’s separate issue.

[bray]

Must be from all that money they made from paying workers $30K to retire.

Pray for America

[cherry]

are they going to have to pay for full time employees for those 2 to 6 hrs that the PO is open?....

[snowsislander]

Why not just raise the postal rates to what other first world nations charge?

In both much smaller Britain and Japan, it costs almost $1 to send a first class letter. I would rather pay more for better service here rather than this endless race to the bottom. Indeed, I already pay far more than $1 to have mail that I care about sent and received.

[monocle]

Let me guess, the hours will be when most taxpayers are working and only welfare queens can use the postoffices.

[blueunicorn6]

Come on people! Read the story. The Senate wants to “refund” 11 billion dollars to the postal service. This is a Democrat dream....more money, less work.