Tom Paterson wrote:
>
> >From: gwhite
>
> >Neither of the latter (UPS, FedEx), for the
> >> mountains of advertising money spent, has succeeded in linking to the equal
> >of
> >> Mr. Armstrong.
>
> >???
>
> For either sporting accomplishments or the Foundation.
They are not in the business of "sporting accomplishments," so why should they? What "Foundation?"
> (I wrote):
> >> I would guess that those who complain about USPS operating deficits are the loudest squealers
> >> when letter rates are raised (sooo-ey!).
>
> (GW replied):
>
> >And why not?
>
> Agreed, consistent with general behavior. Like I said, sooo-ey!
>
> (me):
>
> >> Of course the reality is that USPS is a plum to be picked, could it be reached.
>
> (GW agrees):
>
> >Exactly. But it can't because it is a >protected monopoly.
>
> Long may it be so.
The fact that it is *not* a natural monopoly makes the sustenance of it (as protected by government
decree) wholly and unquestionably corrupt. Given the self evidence of this fact, supporters of it
are either morally bankrupt or just plain don't have the mental horsepower to see it. Okay, I'll
accept the lesser "uneducated" excuse (for a few minutes anyway).
If you support it, you are elitist. Basically it screws more people than it helps. Many
people/businesses are locked out of providing mail delivery service because of the decreed monopoly,
and there is little doubt that letter delivery costs are higher than they would be if the monopoly
were broken. It's always nice to be on the "good-ole-boy" inside. The Postal Service is basically
one giant political rent seeking machine. It is pure corruption no matter how one slices it.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn?pagename=article&node=&contentId=A27504-
2001Aug31¬Found=true
"As the postmaster general until I retired three months ago..."
"What the Postal Service needs now is nothing short of privatization."
> (me):
>
> >> Then the mail could go to hell like the airlines ...
>
> (GW replies):
>
> >Yes, the airlines are a major disaster. More people are flying than ever before. Great point.
>
> Even before 9/11, the level of service compared to earlier years (in my limited experience)
> suffered. More people (if true) are flying despite the problems.
It is more egalitarian now than ever before because a greater diversity of people are able to take
advantage of it. But you are apparently elitist in your philosophical stance.
