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Incredible! What other industry would increase cost to the public when they have a downturn in demand for services. Private sector would lay off unneeded workers instead of keeping the unneeded workers and increasing taxpayer demands.

What other industry would increase cost to the public when they have a downturn in demand for services.

Actually, a lot of them as if the cost of providing the services increase a result of the demand, and some sub-group finds the service utterly necessary.

I guarantee you that a ride in a carriage in in New York City costs a lot more than it did 100 years ago, even though demand is down 99%. Computer Shopper magazine stuck around as long as it did in part because it raised prices and shrunk content to meet the needs of the dwindling number of readers who are not satisfied with web sites. Even now, I will sometimes plunk down $6 for a PC World magazine at an airport to have something to read on the plane.

The fact is that the mailman has to run a full route whether the residents get one piece of mail or ten. That is why the USPS is so in love with bulk junk mail, the marginal cost of delivery is low.

Sometimes, the same people who claim they use the Internet and FEDES/UPS for everything are the sameones who complain about the cost of a first class stamp on a letter. I still mail letters, and its one of the best deals going (magazine rates are another matter).

The USPS's hands are tied. They have to break even or better, AND they have to keep open a bunch of offices that aren't ever going to take in what they spend. In my area there are more post offices in an eight mile radius than gas stations (four vs. three), and two LARGE post offices in the cities where people pretty much have to buy groceries.

I would suggest that the USPS should either be partially subsidized to pay for the perks demanded by local congressmen, or that it be given free reign to make the cut backs they need to do.

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