I have worked for the postal service for 36 years as a letter carrier and I agree the service has gone downhill over the years and that makes me sad because it used to be a great place to work. Many of us still care and do the best we can for our customers. I think the stamp price is fair considering it will take a letter anywhere in the country for the same price including hawaii, alaska and rural areas in wyoming, etc. I mail lots of packages myself and i know ups charges double because i have shopped around. As for the problems of USPS I think there are way too many managers (who don't know how to manage). In my office alone there is a postmaster (who has a secretary), office manager, 7 supervisors. I have not yet figured out what the postmaster does except surf the web on his computer. These managers are not interested in saving the post office or customer service, only making themselves look good so they can get a bonus.

Battered by massive losses, the Postal Service wants to raise rates to bring in more money.

The sad part about this is that you can insert ANY government run agency into Postal Service in the statement above,,,and it's true.

Social Security, Medicare/Medicaid, Public Education, FEMA, AmTrack, OSHA, DOE, DMV, the wars on crime, poverty, drugs, illiteracy and on and on and on!!!!!!!

When will we learn we did not become the greatest economic nation in the world by massively expanding our government. Government is a leech on every tax paying citizen. It produces NOTHING but it keeps growing. How have we come to allow this?

Our economy was built on the shoulders of industry. Domestic export industry, not government social programs and entitlements. Half of our population does NOT pay taxes, what will we do when the number swings into the negative? How will we sustain ourselves? Government does NOT make any money (except that which it borrows or prints). That money our government so easily borrows or prints is OUR responsibility to repay yet we have very little say in HOW it is spent OR given away.

Last minute Bills are loaded with ridiculous earmarks,,,

$1.7 million for pig odor research in Iowa

$2.1 million for the Center for Grape Genetics in New York

$1.7M "for a honey bee factory" in Weslaco, TX

$1 million for mormon cricket control in Utah

$650,000 for beaver management in North Carolina and Mississippi

$3.4 million for a turtle tunnel in Florida

And on and on and on.

The American nation that built our economy did not want anything from the government, it was a last resort to be on Welfare, now it's a lifestyle. Our government is now our largest industry yet it costs us more and more money to run it with no return on investment. We must return our free market principles into Washington. The entitlement mentality is crushing our economy and driving us into a massive nanny state. The same nanny state that is now rocking the foundation of one European Union country after another.

We MUST become industry supportive instead of giving them reasons to move offshore. NAFTA, CAFTA, and the WTO must be dissolved. We do NOT need Free Trade, we need FAIR Trade. When we have to pay fee's, dutie's and tariffs on our exports and other countries don't have to on their imports here,,,,we cannot compete.

Tax Reform is crucial. The current tax code is 3,458 pages long with thousands of loopholes and ways to manipulate it, IF you have the money. Businesses write off expenses, travel, entertaining, bad debt and more and more. Can you personally? NO! Create a Fair tax that everyone, yes even the lower classes that we have been supporting for decades with no return, pays into. Businesses and individuals pay the same 10-20% across the board on all consumption. This is Fair for everyone.

Unions MUST become industry supportive rather than destructive. There is a reason for unions but it is NOT to ruin whole industries with ridiculous benefits and legacy costs that we are seeing more and more being unsustainable. Protect the safety of the worker, ensure a fair wage and let the individual be responsible for his or her future,,,NO MORE!!!

Government must be slashed in size. The sytem as is does NOT work. Just go to a Post Office or DMV and see the ambivalence and indifference of the employees. Hundreds of agencies supposedly watching out for our national security and our borders are unprotected, our economy is crashing and hope of the American Dream is becoming a footnote in history.

AMERICA IS NO LONGER SUSTAINABLE IN ITS CURRENT STRUCTURE!

Before the postal services use of there computerized system, mail actually traveled faster..hmm, does that not say a human can be far more proficient?? When I was a kid Air Mail to Germany took 4-6 days for a whopping 16 cents, now the price has quadrupled and it takes 8-12 days for a basic letter to get there. Here in our little town we have the same problem as Nitro...but it pisses me of that the postmaster sits around on her ass all day cause every piece of mail just gets tossed in a bin to go to town and go through some stupid machine.....god forbid should the postmaster do any work!!! GRRRR!!!

entitlements ? why ? mainly because 95% of the wealth belongs to 5% of the population that 5% only contributes 8% to social programs, such as social security,(the contribution cap is $100,000 of income) next medicare, midicaid, it is also capped. the rich pay a lower percentage in taxes of thier income than the adverage middle class worker. why has this happened? because of the political contributions and graft , that elect the puppets of the rich. in other words the rich run the country. you can buy a politician, they are on sale everyday.! got a special program in mind, just buy a congressman and get your wish.

I know the USPS has employees with bills, responsibilities and families, but the idea that they are loosing enormous amounts of money does not surprise me. I am right there with NITRO1. Customer service with USPS is terrible. I have found in sending mail to my son who is an USAF Airman and is currently at an out of state Air Force Base, the USPS does not guarantee anything anymore. If you want to ensure that a letter, box, or postcard gets where you want it to and that you will be able to track it if it doesn't, then you have to pay for the signed receipt or insurance delivery. As I told the many "supervisors" who gave me this explanation for a very large lost box, this means there is no reason for me to use USPS. I might as well pay to use FedEx or UPS. They are private companies that have to take an interest in whether or not I am a satisfied customer. Government agencies, unfortunately, do not have this burden because the tax money used to keep them running comes out of paycheck whether we are happy or not.

I love these comments, so many of them are "hitting the nail on the head". My husband has his own business and he ships everything FedEX, recently they damaged a bee hive he shipped to a customer. He filed a complaint, FedEx paid him back for the hive, and shipping cost. If you file a complaint through the postal system for the most part it is a waste of time, and good luck on getting a refund if they damage something. I talked to a postal carrier, and she told me it is a big joke to toss fragile packages, she said it is better to put bio hazard stickers on fragile packages. I was thunder struck that grown adults would act this way on the job. And then the postal system wonders why they have a debt, and people ship through others sources? DUH! its a no brainer.

Kearney said the agency is facing a $7 billion loss in 2011. The rate increase will bring in an extra $2.5 billion, meaning it still faces a $4.7 billion loss.

Typical...just like the government to face only 1/3 of a problem. Half-a$$ing it is the term I use. Why do they always half-a$$ everything? Why not come up with a plan that addresses the entire 7 billion? Our government has proven time and time again that they are totally incapable of managing a damn thing. Reminds me here recently when they decided to revamp the penny...the f'ing penny for Pete's sake! First, it costs more to produce than it's worth...second, if something costs more to produce than it's worth, WHY IN HELL WOULD YOU SPEND $$ TO REVAMP THE DAMN THING???

The government is incompetent and inept. They do not have to manage because they are spending other people's money. There's absolutely no incentive. They don't worry about employment because they cannot be fired. I've said it before and I'll say it again. You could fire 1/2 of all government workers and the country wouldn't miss a beat. We'd most likely run more efficiently.

and yet everyone thinks the government responded to slowley to the oil spill ,letting privet industry handle it.

The USPS is a perfect example of how the Federal government cannot do anything well. Where are the cost-cutting efforts to reduce the problem? The USPS has a massive number of management positions as opposed to people doing the actually deliveries. Cut costs, get lean and efficient, then come to us for a rate hike. Of course, this won't happen because the Feds run it.

I expect the USPS will fold or be severely hampered when the dollar crashes.

Jay....sounds like the new car service dept. labor rates per hour...the more they increase, the more they lose service business.

Fire Jack Potter. Outside of the great tradition of Postmasters he has buried the USPS. Even the alleged Postmater, Farley mananged to make a small fortune for the Postal Service. Jack should have read his Ben Franklin, on "How To Be The Postmaster." His solution has always been to raise the rates. Even philatelists have stopped buying the full year of stamp issues. For the same price they can add the first or second U.S. stamp printed in 1847 for about the same price. Jack, what would happen if you simply raised the rates on those who call themselves, "non-profits, ( the 501C's)?

boomer812: you are full of crap. You cannot sue the Federal Government unless it allow you to sue them. Quote from google: Generally, a sovereign government cannot be sued unless it allows itself to be sued. In the United States, Congress has passed the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) allowing the U.S. government to be sued for the tortious negligence of its employees that causes personal injury or property damage.You should get over you Hispanic prejudices because thats what your post implies ie "certain ethnic groups"

Bernie548913 - What's even more interesting is that when Boomer812 used the phrase "certain ethnic groups", you equated that to mean Hispanic.

Now who's stereotyping? Sounds like you!

funny how you both think the hispanic were the ones meant by "certan ethnic groups" looks like you are stereotyping too.

why talk to someone like that!!! - he is not talking about personal injury (meaning medical problems) or property damage - he is talking about lazy asses who use thier race to drain resources of the business they work for.... Who the heck do you think you are jumping on somebody like you are the @!$%#! This is a place for comments and good old fashion debate not a place for you to ridicule someone else to make yourself feel like a big shot.

To Bernie....

The Post Office is not a government agency. It is a private agency that is regulated by the government due to its potential impact across the U.S.. It is named the United States Postal Service only because it holds the monopoly to deliver first class mail within the boundries of the U.S., and yes they can be sued.

My mother works for the post office and says they same thing so I agree boomer. Its not just "a" certain ethnic group though, its all the ones the ACLU has taught that its ok not to work and collect a paycheck, and when they try to tell you to work cry racism. The ones on here who claim its otherwise live in a fantasy world. It happens everyday, everywhere, its as stupid as the chick who got fired cause she was too hot, but people do it! Although, im not sure which is the crazier, the fact they think they can, or the fact it works!.....Of Course on a diff note, my carrier (a white old man) sits at the end of my street almost in view of the post ofc for three hours before going back. He finishes his route and then sits there, my mothers carrier (another old white guy)spends it in the bar across the street from her house. They should make them punch into meters at the end of their route, and go by that. They are all screw offs period.

There are other "ethnic groups" working for the Postal Service, besides Hispanics. I've seen many Asian/Filipino workers in the local post office hub.

The bottom line is: If you can't/won't do the work required(and can't speak and understand English well enough to comprehend what's going on), then the job should be given to those who can/will.

I don't care if they are white, black, brown, red, or purple. Half of them are simply lazy MFers and should be terminated. The country would be better off and run more efficiently. Oh crap, we can't fire 1/2 of them or unemployment may shoot up to 30%.

I work part time on Saturday's which is my only scheduled work day they cut that day & lots of subs are out of pay then what will they have to compensate us with?

The post office rotates days off in a six day work week they don't pay overtime for that sixth day, I know, I work for the P.O. ,overtime is utilized very little these days due to cost cutting measures.

The Railroad! They get paid overtime for every hour worked over 8 in a day.... has nothing to do with 40 hours in a week. Union contracts are killing our economy!

Why not deliver mail every other day. They deliver six times a week. How many people really need mail delivered everyday. Places where demand requires more day will get it. places that don't will loose days for delivery. Cut the work force in half. You would not need as many people making the deliveries.

Now, a letter carrier does NOT work 6 days, a floater takes over on the 6th day. The letter carrier works five and the floater works five days on different routes. I have noticed the USPS is picking up business on its parcels, which is a good thing. Did you know you have to pay more for UPS? UPS and FED EX charge for their gas to deliver packages, USPS does not. Remember this when you need to send a package. I have always received my packages in a timely matter. UPS just leaves a package by my front door, where anyone can just take it. USPS takes the package back and leaves a note to pick it up or they will re-deliver the package.

Did you know that UPS and FedX brings some packages to the post office to deliver?

I know my husband compared shipping charges for his business, and every time FedEx was cheaper, and they will charge to stop and pick up packages, but it is minimal, at the most nine dollars a week, but if he is shipping 1,000 dollars of stuff a week, it is much better to have them come by, rather than he take it to a package collection point 3 or 4 days a week round trip, with gas prices the way they are. FedEx gives him the option which is nice. I personally would have no problems with USPS going to a straight five day work week.

Fedex if a joke, they lie about no one was there so they could not make the delivery, I know it happened a couple of times to me ...... USPS is the only way to go if not UPS ........

i have nothing but good experiences with FedEx.

Blame the government! They can't do anyting right!

I know! Let's have no government at all! Let's go back to the barter system.

I'm sure anarchy would serve the collective good of the people so much better!

Bring back the glory days of Republican rule!!! Oh...wait...

Ronin....I guess the truth hurts.

How so?

Truth does not hurt. Truth makes things clear. Look into the mirror. NOW truth hurts.

It is a fact that anything run by the Federal government is in trouble. Look at welfare. Look at Social Security. Look at the post office. And believe me, they WILL SCREW UP healthcare. You are trying to make this personal and it is not. Just look at the facts.

That what scares me, the government in our healthcare?

Ronin 1913376: read my post #2.1. It explains it all.

interesting conclusion - who said anything about non-whites doing the goofing off? The contributor could EASILY have meant that the group in question WAS white. The speed with which it was concluded that it was a non-white group who is goofing off, is remarkable.

As most of us can attest to, where ever we have worked or work, their will always be lazy people who try to do as little as possible and collect a check, and they are both white and black and some are of different races. I also feel there is a lot of racism on both ends, are we as a nation ever going to stop pointing fingers and blaming it on color or race, and simply state that a person is lazy for that fact alone.

You have hit the nail on the head! Not only do they need to stop useless advertising, but also useless sponsorships! How many millions are wasted on sponsorships, radio and television advertising? This is where to start.

As far as the goofing off, blame the supervisors. Every post office I have been in now has cameras in every nook and cranny. If someone is goofing off, write them up, counsil them and then recommend them for termination. This is how the government works and the system works well. The PEOPLE will not let it work, and that is the biggest downfall.

It might look like that at YOUR post office but that is not the case in all post offices! I agree with the upper management part!

Melanie,

I agree, that is why I started using my banking system to pay most of my bills. It is quicker and I have a back up if something is late. I use to mail them out 7-10 days prior to the due date through the mail system, and to many times they were late by a day or two, so then I would get charged late fees. Now if my bank doesn't make my payments in the schedule time, they reimburse me the late fees, and in eight years it has only happened once. Try to get anything reimbursed if it is late through the postal system, good luck! its a joke. i could careless if I have mail on Saturdays, if businesses want mail delivery on this day let them pay extra.

OMG! @ Melaine and others: I want to send an original photo to my sister in Vancouver, WA. If I give you .44 cents, will you take it to her? Oh, She needs it by Friday.

Dave 860614: lets start by cutting your pension!! OK!

Bernie, they did. No social security increases for the next 2 years.

The post office is supposed to be a private business operated for profit but in reality receive government subsidies. The PO has blamed the internet for loss of business (emails), have blamed the economy for loss of business (less mailings), have blamed everyone and everything for their losses except where the blame belongs, overpriced managers who received thousands of $$$ each year as "performance" bonuses and lazy employees.

Bernie. PRIVATIZE the system! Cut your union driven, unaffordable pension & benefits. The private sector doesn't have the sweetheart deal you do. Give it back to the tax payers! WORST customer service ANYWHERE in the country! Don't believe me? Go to your local branch and mail a package. You'll walk out shaking your head and saying WTF!

Mrs. Georgia Peech
Social Security is not a pension plan and was never intended to be.

John Shriver
The US Postal Service is US Constitution mandated (see Article 1 Section 8) - so, that would make the US Post Office a psedo government/private business. If you want to get local people excited just try to eliminate a post office - anyone else's but the one I use.

So the blame squarely belongs with the US citizens, no one else.

And yes, I do use the USP - without an issue - a first class letter makes it from where I am in Indiana to KC, MO in one day - two at the most for 44 cents. For FedEx or UPS that would be $7.24.

That doesn't say much for your friends! I was raised to do your job to the best of your ability, that is what you are being paid to do!

Wadsworth...I was talking about the Federal Government not giving increases in social security. I am very well aware of how social security works. Paid enough into it. But I appreciate your clarification.

I totally believe that this is the only solution...stop making the American People pay more and more and make less and less....lets all finds more efficient ways to survive!

They seem cost efficient to me.. how much will Fedex charge me to send a birthday card from Florida to Oregon. Or what would brown do for me. 44 cents is a blessing compared to the private market.

I also would not be against an reorganization to get some dead weight off there books.

Thank you!

The rates are too high, less than 50 cents is too high? See if UPS or FedEx will do it for under 2 dollars. UPS tracking is a joke, they lose stuff and say they have delivered it aleady then find it days later. It is part of the shipping business but everyone expects the USPS to be perfect. IMO they are pretty good for a cheap price.

Thank you very much!

I am not blaming all carriers, our sub carrier is better than the regular. The regular guy could careless where he delivers stuff to, for instance my house number is 229, there is another street about a mile away, with the same house number but different street. On a regular basis i get there mail and they get mine. One time I was mad, and wrote on the envelope "Please learn how to read on the envelope, prior to delivering" So what does he do write in big letters on the inside of my mailbox " Special Circumstances" i thought to myself the only one who needs special circumstances is him. i would bring mail down to the post office that he delivered to my house that didn't belonged to me, but to many other people and asked why it was delivered to my address? and of course nobody had an answer. They would tell me that they would speak to him and that it would not happen again, and it always does. I have my last name printed in white lettering on my box in three inch letters, and unless my sub carrier delivers it is always interesting to discover whats in my box. it amazes me that my sub carrier who delivers once a week is better qualified than the regular. I have also let them know which carrier does the job correctly at my post office, because i do appreciate good service.

If the carriers didn't have the annual "mail count" to decide if they lose hours and how they would get paid It would make a big difference. If you don't know what "mail count" means Talk to a carrier....