Frank and Ernest by Thaves for April 23, 2011

But they have to pay a decent wage to their employees so we have a more dough than them.

It’s our fault, we read Amazon and e-bay then press “Buy now”. The USPS just lost 2 bulk rate ads and a 44 cent stamp. It’s like our buggy wheel factory doesn’t seem to be hiring. Next month the PO makes money, millions of first class, hand written letters with the word

and insufficient postage.

Phew!

Did anyone tell Garfield yet?

@RCMinor, actually the Post Office does have to remain solvent–it is an independent agency of the Government, and has not received general revenues since the 1980s. (It does borrow money when the income is insufficient to meet expenses–but then it has to raise postal rates to increase income.) It also has to deliver some letters without revenue–those “franked” by the members of Congress, and by those on active duty in the military come to mind, IIRC.

……… and if the Post Office turns a profit, the profit is turned over to the general funds of the U.S. … Happened a few years back, but it wasn’t a profit. They forgot to pay what the employees had contributed into their retirement fund and saw this as “profit”. GAO made them raise the postal rates and only told the public that it was to pay for postal employees retirement.

It hasn’t always been so.

I can remember many years ago (when I was a child) when the Post Office DID NOT deliver on Saturdays.

The Post Office hasn’t taken a tax dime since 1978. RC MINOR the Post Office was created by the Constitution as they are the only ones who will drive 30 miles to deliver one 44 cent letter, Not UPS, Fed Ex, or DHL. During Vietnam I appreciated getting my mail oversea for domestic rates.

Thanks, lew and folks. It’s always good to hear facts after RC gets done with ANY topic.

And shockingly no one defended the pizza guy’s right to “underfund” his employees.