Stop the Postal Service Reform Act of 2016. #SaveUSPS

[Panich52]

From email:


Please sign and share my petition to stop the Postal Service Reform Act of 2016. This is another hostile attack against our nation's postal service and its employees. After years of pre-funding the USPS retiree benefits 75 years in advance, a burden no other business or government agency has to endure, this is a move in the wrong direction. The link follows: http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/stop-the-hr5714-postal?mailing_id=35037&source=s.icn.em.cr&r_by=1939235

I also ask you to continue sharing my revised petition of my first petition a few years ago "Save Our Post Office." We must support the US Postal Service and its employees or the day will come when we do not have it in its current form. The link follows: http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/save-our-post-office-91?mailing_id=35037&source=s.icn.em.cr&r_by=1939235

Thank you for your continued support. It is appreciated. It is truly sad that America has reached the level where action like this is even needed.... But it has.

Jerry Stidman


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Repubs continue to attack one of the foundations of our democratic republic—the Constitutionally mandated US Postal Service. Their goal is privatization. Once they succeed at that, one can be assured the federal privacy, guarantees and secured delivery that we're used to regarding mail will be chipped away (regs bad f/ biz ya know).

Privatization especially bad with movement to vote-by-mail. Repubs already have admitted (proudly) to voter suppression. Imagine what they could do with votes sent by for-profit business....

[tonyt53]

1. You can thank Bush II for that 75 year funding requirement.

There are several GOP donors that are just waiting to grab the USPS when it is privatized. Stamps are a bargain.

[yeoman6987]

3. He signed this mess

Signed in 2006 the year Democratic Party got back the congress. This may have been why depending on when it was signed.

[tonyt53]

6. The same legislation that required that 75 year funding of the USPS pension hit private ones too

Defined benefit plans are now graded and have to maintain a level of at least 93% funding for future benefits of all participants or they must undertake other funding initiatives, like contribution increases or reduction in benefits for future retirees. This action put an undue burden on union defined benefit plans especially.

[Panich52]

15. Hit unions...further evidence of real conservative intent...

[Ilsa]

8. That's what needs to be repealed.

This bill is a gift to real estate developers and contractors. The old law requiring the prefunding needs to be repealed. They have enough in savings.

[A HERETIC I AM]

2. If everyone mailed one single first class letter a month...

Any and all financial problems the PO has would disappear in a week

[lapucelle]

4. Maybe we should start a pen pal thread.

[yeoman6987]

5. Pay 42 cents when you can do it for free over email or web pay?

I just don't think you'd get much participation. Would be interested in seeing the number of millenniums who have used a stamp. Probably very low.

[tonyt53]

7. They aren't running business. Businesses still rely heavily on the USPS.

[A HERETIC I AM]

9. I can pretty much guarantee you that the grandmothers of those millenials....

Would absolutely LOVE getting a hand written card or note in the mail.

Who doesn't like getting a letter addressed to them from a loved one?

[yeoman6987]

10. Hopefully they call often

[Paka]

13. A call is great...

but letters are better. Who doesn't love getting a hand written letter?

[Kingofalldems]

19. Nice try.

[Panich52]

14. Sign of lost art of letter writing...

Some even question teaching script in school. Shame. Script can be an art form. And many if the principles we honor were elaborated upon in the letters of our founders ("wall of separation" comes from such a letter).

Email just doesn't have the power to impress that a handwritten epistle can evoke. Emails only seem to be short pot shots than can be hacked, altered, & unfairly shared. Letters are frequently heartfelt, with more personalization and more thought.

[Ilsa]

11. Done. NT

[4lbs]

12. The company I work for does 75% of its shipping with the USPS.

More than 300 packages a day.

Mostly First Class for light items and Priority Mail Flat-Rate for others. A few international packages via USPS Express Mail (for better tracking and automatic insurance).

[csziggy]

16. For many items I prefer getting items shipped USPS

Or USPS for final delivery as some levels of FedEx and UPS do.

With USPS shipped to my PO Box I know the package will be in a secure location, out of the weather. I know a substitute or new driver won't leave the package at one of the barns or outbuilding - or as was done once, leaning up against a post at the front gate in full sight of the road.

What I do wish was that the USPS would develop a true tracking system. They claim to have one but all it does it let me know that the items have been shipped and that they have arrived.

I also wish that FedEx and UPS would tell companies to allow shipping to PO Boxes if there is a possibility that USPS will do the final delivery. Some companies will not and I have had packages left leaning against our mail box that is on the street and not visible from anywhere on my property. Usually the PO delivery people are better than that, but every so often they don't want to make the effort to drive into the farm to locate the house.

[4lbs]

17. Well, with Priority and Express, the tracking system does get updated, however

not as much as with UPS or FedEx.

As for UPS and FedEx, they do ship to PO Boxes in a roundabout way.

With UPS SurePost and FedEx SmartPost, they will pick up the package, and deliver it to the destination city via their carrier routes. Then in the destination city, they will hand off the package(s) to the USPS for final delivery.

[csziggy]

18. UPS and FedEx are not the problem, some companies are

Like NewEgg.com will not under any circumstance ship to a PO Box. You have to do a work around, ship to the street address of the post office and put the box number into the address line. I've had times when I had to order something but was not going to be at home to accept it. I would much rather the shipment go to the post office where it would be safe until I can pick it up.

It was a package from NewEgg.com that got left leaning up against the gate post. Really great for a hard drive to be left in Florida weather WITH rain storms for three days while I tried to figure out where the hell they delivered it to. I think the driver got fired over that one. Ever since FedEx has been great about bringing stuff to the house.

Now I wish I could get them to ring the damn door bell. They don't have to wait until I get to the door, just ring the bell and let me know someone has been here.

Yesterday I thought I heard a truck, looked out the windows, didn't see any sign anyone had been here. This morning I had to change the cat litter and found two boxes in front of the door. They must have been delivered yesterday since the cardboard was slightly damp.

Those boxes held film from the 1930s that my Dad took as a kid. I didn't know they were being shipped back to me yet so I wasn't expecting a delivery at all. If the transferred film had gotten damaged, that work was irretrievable. That film has been at a company for a year being re-plasticized then scanned and saved to various media. If the media had gotten damaged from being left outside the process can not be repeated and the film would have been lost forever.

I spent too much time today watching the DNC but tomorrow I will call the shipping company and complain. I also will get a sign made for the doorbell asking delivery companies to ring the bell.