Republicans and Democrats Push Senate Bill To Further The Destruction Of The USPS

[Omaha Steve]

http://nhlabornews.com/2014/02/republicans-and-democrats-push-senate-bill-to-further-the-destruction-of-the-usps/

By Matt Murray | February 8, 2014



Senator Coburn and Senator Carper
Image from HSGAC.GOV

Previously we reported on the fierce opposition to Senate Bill 1486 (postal reform) that was at the time, being introduced into the US Senate. This week the Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee voted 9-1 to approve S1486 with provisions that will destroy good jobs, and close post offices.

“This disastrous bill would severely damage service to the people; weaken the USPS and make it ripe for privatization, and destroy good jobs throughout the country,” said APWU President Mark Dimondstein. “The APWU urges senators to vote against the bill if and when it is brought to the Senate floor for consideration.”

“Unnecessary and damaging attacks on the Postal Service’s vital networks and its employees—such as those unfortunately included in S. 1486—would only send the USPS on a downward trajectory,” said NALC President Fredric Rolando.

(The NALC also submitted this letter to the Senate spelling out the opposition to this bill.)



I am not surprised that my Senator, Kelly Ayotte (R-NH) voted for the bill, because like many others in the Republican Party, they want to privatize the USPS. HSGAC Votes on S1486 I am shocked at how some the Democratic Senators on the committee voted. Sen. Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND), Sen. Carl Levin (D-MI), Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-MO), and Sen. Mark Pryor (D-AR) all voted to move this legislation out of committee.

FULL story at link.

About Matt Murray
Matt Murray is the creator and an author on the NH Labor News. He is a union member and advocate for labor and progressive politics. He also works with other unions and members to help spread our message. Follow him on Twitter @NHLabor_News

[pangaia]

1. Carl Levin voted for this???

Why? Why? I mean, he's even retiring.

[warrant46]

25. Helping out the 1% to privatize and loot the system

It won't be long until this happens

UNION BUSTING !!

[madville]

2. Democrats and Republicans supported the last round of destruction

Democrats and Republicans both supported the last round of destruction in 2005, Democrats like Ted Kennedy in the Senate and Waxman in the House were co-sponsors back then.

[gerogie2]

3. USPS is no longer needed.

We can all send correspondence over the Internet and pay bills online. Private companies can take over all package delivery in CONUS. The State of Alaska and Hawaii would have to set up their own system of delivery.

[Historic NY]

4. Glad you like to pay through the nose....

apparently your not aware that the USPS delivers places the other paid companies don't. In Fact they deliver for them. Not everyone has the internet or even the service for it.

The post office didn't let down its customers at Christmas but the big private companies di.

[gerogie2]

7. Don't worry

Where there is a need the private sector will provide a solution.

[Scuba]

13. Ask UPS or Fed Ex what it'll cost to deliver an envelope to an address in another state.

I'll stick with the USPS, thanks very much.

[lob1]

28. Yes, by charging more money and reducing service.

[LanternWaste]

29. But at more expense... which is precisely the reason the government is obligated to provide...

But at more expense... which is precisely the reason the government is obligated to provide these services. Unless of course, you think the military should be privatized...

[Skidmore]

15. Yep. And I refuse to

bank via computer.

[Egalitarian Thug]

6. Dumbest reply today!

Enjoy your stay.

[warrant46]

26. +1

[hay rick]

11. This message brought to you by

the Darrell Issa wing of the Democratic Party.

[bemildred]

14. I want it, and I don't give a fuck if it's needed or not. nt

[Merlot]

17. There is no company that will deliver mail as cheaply or to as many places as the USPS

And no, we don't all correspond over the internet and pay bills online. Go to a post office any time of day and you'll see a lot of people mailing packages and taking care of other business like passports.

People use the USPS because they know they won't pay through the nose for the services offered. Private companies have proven themselves to work for their own best interest and PROFIT. Once they have a monopoly on delivery they'll be just like the cable/internet/phone companies, holding us hostage to plans we don't want, with surcharges and penalty fees galore. And executive paychecks that would keep a small country solvent.

[gerogie2]

18. All those services can be replaced by private sector

The Internet has eliminated the need to send correspondence physically. It is time to phase out the post office and let the private sector take over package delivery.

[Samantha]

19. Absolutely not

The U.S. Government allowing so many aspects of the work it performs to be privatized is a concept which in itself should be opposed at every turn.

Sam

[gerogie2]

20. Letter delivery has been replaced by the Internet

Delivering correspondence physically is no longer needed thanks to the Internet. The private sector can handle package deliver because the buyer pays the cost of shipping. 90% of all package deliver done by the USPS is done by private companies between cities.

[Samantha]

21. I stil have people in rural areas that mail me cards and letters thru the USPO

But that is not the point for me. I am done watching private businesses carve out chunks of services performed by the U.S. Government for performance (and monetary gain) by them. So I am not going to support the privatization of anything, especially Social Security and the Post Office.

Sam

[nadinbrzezinski]

34. And last mile delivery is done by the USPS for those private companies

by the way, the USPS is in the Constitution.

[Merlot]

24. All services the gov't provides can be replaced by PS - at a cost

and that cost will be huge to the citizens - excuse me - consumers of America.

Business run for profit, and that profit is then given to CEOs and shareholders. It's not reinvested in the company or it's employees. It's not invested in infrastructure.

So, you got a pothole in the street? Call a private company to come fill it and pay the bill. House on fire - hope you've paid your fire company dues. Someone breaking in to your house? Hope you can afford private security guards, or you're SOL. Friend or relative in prison - they'll be dialing for dollars to all their family for basics like food and toilet paper on phone lines that cost 3 or 4 times the normal rate.

Oil company wants to put an oil rig on your front lawn - good luck fighting that! and when that oil pipeline bursts, good luck getting the company that caused it to clean it up without someone regulating it.

BTW, if people depend on the internet for ALL their postal needs, what happens when the internet starts jacking up prices and charging per email?

[nadinbrzezinski]

33. I am glad you like to pay though the nose

and some people STILL pay for bill using the USPS.

By the way, even at one dollar, it would still be a bargain.

[Egalitarian Thug]

5. But, but, but WOODY ALLEN!!!

PUTIN IS A BAD MANN!!!
POPE GLORIANA!!!
REPUBLICANS ARE BAAAAD!!!
CHRISTIE!!!
CATZ LIKE BRGRZ!!!
THERE'S GUNZ!!!!

OK, sorry. this is just one of the real things going on that few are even aware of because of the blizzard of bullshit. I can't trash them faster that they can be posted.
& R

I'm going to do something else now.

[TheKentuckian]

8. That is the purpose of the bullshit blizzard.

[solarhydrocan]

9. This just happened in the UK

privatization of the Royal Mail

Key players: Goldman Sachs and UBS

Royal Mail privatised for up to £1.5bn less than City estimates of its value
Sean Farrell theguardian.com, Friday 7 February 2014


Estimates of value ranged from £4bn to £4.8bn ahead of government selloff for £3.3bn, business department reveals

...The investment banks that advised on the sale, Goldman Sachs and UBS, told MPs on the business select committee in October that the flotation took place when financial markets were jittery and with the threat of a nationwide strike looming over Royal Mail.

http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2014/feb/07/royal-mail-privatised-city-estimates-value

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024458923

Goldman Sachs and UBS are "Too big to fail" Will they be "advising" the US on the sale of the USPS? Maybe Dianne Finesteins husband knows

Claim: The husband of Senator Dianne Feinstein chairs a company that brokers sales of USPS facilities.

TRUE http://www.snopes.com/politics/business/blum.asp

[liberal_at_heart]

10. Democrats are complicit in the privatization of our public institutions.

And every single democrat who does deserves to be primaried.

[lostnfound]

12. So any guesses as to which specific companies will profit from this?

Fedex and UPS obviously, but what about the infrastructure? Will it be sold off to the most politically-connected at a dime on the dollar?

[Omaha Steve]

16. Kick

[Jefferson23]

22. This sucks, a lot. n/t

[bullwinkle428]

23. Shameful. I don't understand how Democrats think this is going

to generate more votes for Democratic candidates this fall.

[RedstDem]

31. thats the rub

no matter who you vote for, you get the same thing.

Hilliary 2016 rah rah rah!!!

just venting, this is the worst.

[badtoworse]

27. How is this bad for consumers?

[LanternWaste]

30. severely damage service to the people; weaken the USPS and make it ripe for privatization, and destr

“This disastrous bill would severely damage service to the people; weaken the USPS and make it ripe for privatization, and destroy good jobs throughout the country,” said APWU President Mark Dimondstein...





It's in the story posted in the OP for those with a sincere curiosity rather than pushing a small l libertarian agenda...

[RedstDem]

32. it will cost more

in a nut shell.

plus the price of labor drops again, making your buying power drop with it.

[nadinbrzezinski]

35. Just sent an email to Dianne Feinstein

I know, I know that was funny, She will put family interests before the people, but... I also contacted boxer.

They will do this in the end. It will only stop when the American people have had it. I do not expect that to happen in my lifetime any more.