CAL THOMAS COMMENTARY APRIL 15, 2025
THE POST OFFICE IS AGAIN RAISING RATES, FROM 73 CENTS TO 78 CENTS STARTING IN JULY. ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF SUBSIDIZING INEFFICIENCY.
SINCE 2007 THE POSTAL SERVICE HAS LOST $100 BILLION. THE EXCUSES FOR RAISING RATES ARE ALWAYS THE SAME – INFLATION, PENSIONS FOR POSTAL WORKERS, DECLINING USE. BUT THE USE IS DECLINING MOSTLY BECAUSE THE RATES KEEP GOING UP.
YOUNGER PEOPLE NO LONGER WRITE AND MAIL LETTERS. THEY EMAIL, TEXT, OR COMMUNICATE ON SOCIAL MEDIA. FREE ELECTRONIC CARDS ALLOW PEOPLE TO SEND GREETINGS AT CHRISTMAS AND AVOID THE COST OF THE CARDS AND POSTAGE. THERE IS ALMOST ALWAYS A LINE AT THE POST OFFICE AND FEW PEOPLE BEHIND THE COUNTER. THE SERVICE IS AS BAD AS I HAVE EVER SEEN IT. I RECENTLY SENT A BOOK FROM FLORIDA TO VIRGINIA. IT WAS MEDIA MAIL, THE CHEAPEST RATE. PAST EXPERIENCE HAS MADE IT IN 4-5 DAYS. THIS TIME IT TOOK 11 DAYS. AND THEY WANT MORE MONEY FOR THAT?
PRESIDENT TRUMP HAS SUGGESTED ROLLING THE POSTAL SERVICE INTO THE COMMERCE DEPARTMENT. SOMETHING MUST BE DONE OR THE RATES WILL KEEP GOING UP WHILE THE SERVICE CONTINUES TO DECLINE. I’M CAL THOMAS.
