Greener Mail Initiative?

[GoldenRivet]

Originally Posted by CaptainHaplo

Sorry GoldenRivet, but that idea is just...
wrong!

I never said it was the end all be all solution to the problem.

i do feel that the USPS serves a critical function.

the problem here is that the internet has come along, and technology has come along and these forces have changed everything about the way our society functions.

unfortunately a lot of businesses... especially those federal businesses... are playing catch up, or they are wandering around lost in a world which is altogether unfamiliar to the way they have existed since the dawn of this nation.

EDIT:

i wonder how much of a part the companies like UPS and FedEx are playing into the downfall of the USPS.

The federal government awarded these rights and privilages to UPS and FEDEX, they mostly deliver boxed goods.

Seems that the USPS would be doing substantially better business wise if FEDEX and UPS were no more... but now we have an issue of Government intrusion on private enterprise.

[CaptainHaplo]

I didn't mean that personal mate. Just the numbers look horrible for business uses if its "mandatory email thu the USPS". Actually your plan was what opened up my thoughts on e-delivery.

[GoldenRivet]

Originally Posted by CaptainHaplo

I didn't mean that personal mate.

Oh i know.

but this situation is getting out of hand.

you know my original post was made mostly in jest - however it has brought up a broader set of issues.

perhaps the postal service should downsize considerably?

perhaps upon their downsizing they should continue to deliver paper mailings.

but in addendum to the paper stuff they should diversify into other methods of delivery.

I do think that the postal service is important... but they need to adapt to modern times.

even if it means stamps have to cost $0.95 each.

but the fact that the USPS is delivering GARBAGE to my house (literally) just so they can continue to barely make ends meet is NOT a good thing

[CaptainHaplo]

I agree they provide a useful service.

But we are a free market economy, provide what the customer needs at a decent rate, or get run out of business.

They do need to downsize tremendously - though getting any government entity to do so is like pulling teeth in the dark by yourself - with a screwdriver.

Yet a 1 day a week delivery, as well as "special deliveries" on whatever day for an additional cost, would drastically save money.

Diversifying their service to areas of the market that are untouched is only smart. You think mail, you think USPS. They are THE brand - so they should leverage that into the areas where they have lost revenue. It could be done, and would end up keeping them not only viable without ever growing government subsidies, but it would also help us develop and keep a highly skilled technical pool of people. As the world shrinks due to globalization, we need to have people skilled to facilitate our role there. Right now, IT jobs are like all the other types - not enough of them out there, and without the demand, you won't have people with the skills.