I am writing in response to the letter by Stephen Gordon which appeared in the Times Record on May 15th. He was questioning the need of the United States Postal Service in the modern times. He seems to feel that daily delivery is unnecessary.
The USPS handles about 160 BILLION pieces of mail annually with only a portion of that being advertising and periodicals. The bulk of it is first class mail and packages. In addition, the Post Office is the second largest civilian employer in the United States and is supported by NO TAX DOLLARS.
The idea that it would be OK for millions of people to have delivery only three days a week is another example of how people think that everyone, everywhere, has the same access to computers, e-mail, online banking, and an automobile. For many people, especially the elderly, daily mail pick up and delivery is their only means of paying bills, getting their periodicals, and receiving written communication, as well as medicines. Many many people do not feel comfortable with online banking, do not have credit cards and must pay for things by check. Also, sending bills and letters by mail is ridiculously inexpensive; a letter is 49 cents whether it is going across town or across the country.
As far as saving money, how about looking instead at the federal subsidies to the fossil fuel companies which run between $14 billion and $52 billion annually. These companies, whose annual profits collectively amount to roughly $120 billion, would not seem to need these subsidies. Perhaps the $5 billion shortfall Mr. Gordon mentioned could come from some of that money. After all, all Americans benefit from the post office while only the few, the wealthy and the connected reap the profits from the big oil.
Susan Chichetto
Bath
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