This letter is to tell you about our campaign to keep the post office in its current form. We believe it is possible for the postal service to continue doing business the way it always has with very little change in structure. “Save Our Post Office” is a loosely knit social movement of concerned citizens who believe the post office can be financially stable the way it is.
We believe one of the main reasons the Postal Service has financial problems is due to HR 6407, a congressional bill passed during the lame-duck session of Congress in 2006. It was passed by a voice vote of “yea” or “nay” so it is difficult to even determine who actually voted for the bill.
The basic premise of HR 6407 is the U.S. Postal Service must pay $5.5 billion dollars a year for a period of 10 years. This is a prepayment into retirement accounts to pay for the next 75 years. This is a burden no other business or government agency has to endure. In fact, it has been estimated in recent years the postal service would have made $750 million in profits. It is our goal to see HR 6407 repealed.
Ultimately what we would like to see is the continued delivery of mail six days a week. The Postal Service is the only delivery company which delivers on Saturday. In fact, UPS and FedEx use the postal service for last-mile delivery in many situations. Thus eliminating six-day delivery would also hurt our competitors.
Another area we want to see the post office continue service is to continue to maintain their highly structured mail-processing plants. The mailing industry is a $1 trillion industry that employs over 8 million people. This represents 9 percent of the gross national product. In fact, it even touches the newspaper industry, which relies on a quality mail processing network to those who subscribe by mail.
In the next few months to the next two years, the post office wants to close approximately 250 mail-processing plants. This would be like closing 250 small factories at the same time. How can this be a good thing for an economy that is already struggling? And what if our economy actually recovers at some point? The post office would be at a serious shortfall in their capacity to process the increased mail volume.
The postal service wants to cut retail hours in smaller post offices and rural areas. In fact, they want to close 3,500 post offices in rural areas. This is a travesty. The post office is required by law to provide universal mail service, meaning they must provide some means to get mail to every citizen of the entire country. How can they do this if they close such a great number of post offices?
Those who suffer the most will be the elderly, who are less Internet savvy. They are the people most likely to read newspapers. So this is another setback for the newspaper industry. It will be more difficult for newspapers to get their product to their customers in a timely manner due to processing plants closing. Also, it will be more difficult for newspapers to get their product to their customers because their means of delivery has been complicated. Life defies all logic. However, one would think the newspaper industry and readers of newspapers would want the same things we do on this issue.
It is the responsibility of Congress to be a good steward of our postal service. Yet they chose to pass a bill to hamstring the post office and didn’t even have the decency to associate their names to the vote. Remember, it was a voice vote.
The conservative position in this case is not to privatize the post office. The Constitution of the United States of America states, and I quote: Article 1, Section 8, clause 7 — Congress shall have the power to establish “post offices and post roads.” Basically, other than the IRS the Postal Service is one of the few government or quasi-government agencies that brings in revenue. The U.S. Postal Service is a $63 billion industry that you as an American citizen own and Congress is simply the steward of maintaining it. Hold the new Congress accountable for how they handle your mail service.
To learn more about our cause and how you can help, visit www.saveourpostoffice.us and on Facebook.
— Jerry Stidman
American Postal Workers Union
Terre Haute
Opinion
FLASHPOINT: Post offices could be restored and made financially viable
- Opinion
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READERS' FORUM: May 20, 2013
The dangers of a little knowledge
Students enjoyed Rose study trip
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Mark Bennett: High-profile mural connects historical dots from city to river
At 96 feet wide and 2 stories tall, the power, impact and value of the Wabash will be evident.
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EDITORIAL: Waging the ‘readiness’ campaign
Almost every Hoosier who starts college intends to finish. Unfortunately, those who arrive on campus unprepared in key academic areas are far less likely to fulfill that aspiration.
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READERS' FORUM: May 19, 2013
• Flawed reasoning on gun checks
• A hint of things yet to come?
• Are the ‘makers’ doing the ‘taking’?
• The ‘Obamination’ is finally revealed
• Pondering effects of Obamacare
• Fantasizing on the ‘Apocalypse’
• Another view of Hinduism
• Great experience for HCMS students
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FLASHPOINT: A legislative session of missed opportunities
Given the nature of politicians, grand claims of accomplishments and overblown rhetoric about “historic” efforts are to be expected at the close of any legislative session.
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RONN MOTT: Mushrooms = Hoosier happiness
Someone wrote or said a few years ago a statement that would define the word “Hoosier.” According to this urban legend, a Hoosier is somebody dribbling a basketball around the Indy 500 while eating a fried, morel mushroom. It did not define me, at the time.
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EDITORIAL: Insult to an independent press
Distrust of government secrecy has been elevated to an exceptional level with the disclosure the Justice Department covertly examined two months of Associated Press phone records to determine who leaked details to the AP about a foiled terrorist plot.
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READERS' FORUM: May 17, 2013
Hinduism doesn’t deserve ridicule — Shefali Purohit, Terre Haute
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RONN MOTT: Israel’s Air Force
Recently the Israeli Air Force bombed and rocketed a convoy leaving Syria going to Lebanon with rockets that were going to be used to attack Israel. It did not get there. It was destroyed.
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EDITORIAL: Noteworthy in the news: Dashing finish for the Sycamores
It’s always thrilling to see Indiana State University’s athletic teams do well in high-level competition, and two specific teams rose to impressive heights last weekend in the Missouri Valley Conference outdoor track and field championships.
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Readers' Forum: May 16, 2013
Moving Deming folks sounds ‘nuts’
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Readers' Forum: May 15, 2013
Participants rise to the challenge: I would like to write a letter congratulating all the Wabash Valley Roadrunners that competed in the One America Indianapolis Mini Marathon.
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RONN MOTT: Media merry-go-round
Round and round it goes, where it stops nobody knows. That isn’t a unique phrase to this writer or to this era in time. But, when it comes to the musical chairs of broadcasting, it certainly applies.
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LIZ CIANCONE: Courts see a different appearance than cops
Have you ever noticed the transformation between the arrest of an accused lawbreaker and the first appearance in court?
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READERS' FORUM: May 14, 2013
ISTEP failure exposes flaws
Community hasn’t changed its spirit
Egregious threat to nation’s defense
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READERS' FORUM: May 13, 2013
• Women’s group criticizes Bucshon
• Let’s hope this doesn’t come true
• Many get thanks for fest success
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MARK BENNETT: Life at face value: Mom’s simple advice still presents a valuable daily challenge
Most moms don’t base their advice on scientific research.
(Unless, of course, your mother is a scientific researcher. If so, carry a No. 2 pencil and take good notes.) -
EDITORIAL: Better monitoring needed to prevent local environmental messes
The nasty, hazardous messes lurking in the community raise a bottom-line, red-flag question. Could these environmental problems have been monitored and, thus, prevented?
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GUEST COLUMN: Nursing more than medicine and bandages
Being a nurse … Like most nurses, I chose this profession because I had a strong desire to help others and no other career would allow me the opportunity to touch lives the way I have been able to through nursing.
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READERS' FORUM: May 12, 2013
Vigo Youth Football, entering 45th year, seeks new support
Media ignoring important case on abortions
Proud to be old-fashioned
Guns in school? What’s next?
Promoting hate not a ‘brave’ act
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FLASHPOINT: Again in 2013 General Assembly, middle class generally ignored
Last year, the people of Indiana entrusted the Republican Party with some of their most precious possessions.
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RONN MOTT: ‘Raccoons II’
In the Algonquin Indian language, raccoon means “working with hands.” They are really cute little fellows until they injure a child, or a pet, or leave feces around where you certainly do not want it.
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Readers’ Forum: May 11, 2013
I just wanted to express my disappointment at the lack of response shown by President Obama after the Boston Marathon bombings.
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Readers' Forum: May 10, 2013
CANDLES event plants new seed: On April 26, CANDLES Holocaust Museum and Education Center hosted an event called “Sowing Seeds of Peace: A Celebration of Spring” at the Apple House. Our purpose was to introduce people to our concept of forgiveness as a seed for peace.
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RONN MOTT: ‘NRA Convention’
At the recent NRA Convention in Houston, Texas, where the right-wing political hot air almost lifted the convention's building off its foundation, the NRA trotted out the forever yours political dame of the right wing, Sarah Palin. Sarah did not disappoint.
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EDITORIAL: Memo to U.S.A.: You can ‘SPPRAK’ just as we do in Vigo County
Our kids, truly, are ‘Making a Difference’
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Some words in praise of boring government — Indiana’s
A conservative Republican governor has super majorities in both branches of the legislature. One might suspect such one-party government leads to major changes in public policy. This did not happen in 2013 in Indiana.
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EDITORIAL: Doc’s prescient prescription
Viewed through a 2013 prism, Doc Bowen’s response to the AIDS epidemic looks merely prudent, routine.
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RONN MOTT: ‘Heritage gone’
The last high school I attended was being torn down just a few days ago. I didn't learn about it until I saw classmate Dick Mills on television and a display he had put together about State football championships in the middle 1930's. I began elementary school with Dick Mills. That was Matthew South Elementary School on South Sixth Street in Clinton, Indiana. After seeing Dick on TV, it dawned on me that all schools I had attended in Clinton have been torn down.
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LIZ CIANCONE: We always want more than we need
Washington seems more preoccupied with the unemployment rate than they are about the constant stalemate. Still with thousands out of work and the unemployment rate hovering somewhere between 7 percent and 9 percent, it does deserve more than a passing nod.
- More Opinion Headlines
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READERS' FORUM: May 20, 2013
Raw: Tornadoes Spotted in Kansas
Tornadoes, Storms Strike Midwest
Probe Begins After Conn. Commuter Trains Crash
Raw: Heavy Tornado Damage in Shawnee, Okla
NTSB Begins Investigation Into Conn. Train Crash
'Babyland': Camp Lejeune's Toxic Legacy?
AP CEO: Records Seizure 'Unconstitutional'
Fatal Hot Air Balloon Accident in Turkey
Obama Exhorts Good Deeds by Morehouse Graduates
Winning Powerball Ticket Sold in Florida
Lotto Fever Sweeps the Country
Coffee Run Leads to Hatchet Hitchhiker Arrest
Today in History for May 19th
Raw: Accused US Spy Reportedly Leaves Russia
One Million Evacuated As Cyclone Hits Bangladesh
Conn. Commuter Trains Collide; 60 Go to Hospital
Raw: Germany Protestors Picket Barbie House
ABC Stars React to Jolie News
Today in History for May 20th
CDC: Fecal Bacteria Common in Swimming Pools
RAW: Russian dash cam catches car 20 feet in the air
Singer Miguel Accidentally Lands on Fan At Billboard Music Awards
Who is $600M Powerball winner in Fla.?
Justin Bieber Gets Booed After Winning at the Billboard Awards
Singer forgets lyrics, makes up words to National Anthem
Top 5 Plays of the Day
Sailor Surprises His Mom At Her CU Denver Graduation Ceremony
Twiggy, the Waterskiing Squirrel
Official: ‘Amazing’ No One Was Killed In CT Train Crash
Coffee Stop Leads To Arrest Of YouTube Sensation Wanted For Murder
Bearded Dragon Reunited With Owner
Marine Reunited with Warzone Companion
Raw: Crash Sends Car Into Fla. Pool
Beyonce Is Pregnant!
SF baseball player overpaid $500,000 RETURNS money -- and team says KEEP IT
$1 Million in Jewels Stolen at Cannes Film Fest
Dad returns from Afghanistan, surprises family during Rays' first pitch
