Saving the Postal Service: A Battle for America's Mail

The United States Postal Service (USPS) stands at a crossroads. Once a symbol of American efficiency and reliability, it now faces an existential threat from privatization plans championed by the current administration. The stakes are high: the future of universal mail service, the economic well-being of rural communities, and the integrity of a public institution enshrined in the Constitution.

The narrative around the USPS is riddled with myths and misconceptions. One of the most pervasive is that the Postal Service is a drain on taxpayers' money. In reality, the USPS is self-funded, relying solely on the sale of stamps, products, and services to cover its operations. This financial independence is a testament to its efficiency and the value it provides to the American public.

Another myth is that the USPS is obsolete in the digital age. While it's true that letter mail volumes have declined, package volumes have surged. The Postal Service has adapted to this shift, becoming a key player in the e-commerce boom. The Postal Reform Act of 2022 further empowers the USPS to offer new services, such as postal banking, which could underpin its finances for generations to come.

The idea that the USPS should be run like a business overlooks its constitutional mandate to serve all Americans, regardless of location or profitability. This universal service obligation is a cornerstone of American democracy, ensuring that everyone, from urban dwellers to rural residents, receives mail and packages at an affordable cost.

The privatization of the USPS would have far-reaching consequences. Delivery would be driven by profit margins, not public service. Sections of the population, particularly those in rural and underserved communities, could lose mail service entirely. Prices would rise, and delivery days could be reduced, marking the end of universal delivery to every address in the country.

The economic and social fallout would be severe. The USPS is the low-cost anchor of the mail and package industry, employing more than seven million people and generating over $1.2 trillion in economic activity. Privatization could disrupt this industry, leading to higher costs for consumers and businesses alike. Moreover, the USPS is the country's largest civilian employer of veterans, providing good jobs that build strong communities.

The administration's plan to move the USPS under the Commerce Department is a step backward. It would give power back to the Executive Branch, removing the independent governance that allows the USPS to serve America free from political interference. This move could also affect labor union contracts, vote-by-mail initiatives, and much more.

The privatization of the USPS is not just about the end of reliable mail delivery; it is about the destruction of over 600,000 good union jobs. It is about the erosion of a public service that has bound our nation together for 250 years. It is about the loss of a fundamental infrastructure that ensures every American, no matter where they live, receives their mail.

The fight to save the USPS is not just about preserving a public institution; it is about defending the principles of universal service and public good. It is about ensuring that the Postal Service continues to deliver to every address in the country, no matter who we are or where we live.

The USPS is consistently ranked among the most favorable and most trusted federal agencies. It is a symbol of American efficiency and reliability, a public service that has adapted to new technology and mail-mix. The Postal Service is not a business; it is a constitutional mandate, a public good that ensures every American receives their mail.

The administration's plans to sell the USPS to corporations for private gain will result in higher costs, reduced delivery days, and the end of universal delivery to every address in the country. It will destroy good union jobs and disrupt the mail and package industry, leading to higher costs for consumers and businesses alike.

The fight to save the USPS is a fight for the soul of America. It is a fight for the principles of universal service and public good. It is a fight to ensure that the Postal Service continues to deliver to every address in the country, no matter who we are or where we live.

The time to act is now. Sign the petition at usmailnotforsale.org/petition and join the fight to save the USPS. Together, we can ensure that the Postal Service continues to deliver to every address in the country, no matter who we are or where we live. Together, we can ensure that the Postal Service continues to be a symbol of American efficiency and reliability, a public service that has bound our nation together for 250 years.