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Letter to the Editor: Alternative to Senator Schumer’s $25 billion bailout for Post Office

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Larry Penner
 
 
August 7, 2020
 
 
Dear  Editor:
 
There are other solutions to Senator Schumer calling for a $25 billion bailout to save the Post Office system. 
 
There are other initiatives which could assist the Postal Service in avoiding frequent postage stamp increases.  The Post Office should continue with more joint business ventures like Amazon in expanding Sunday delivery.
 
This could be the start of something big.  Using underutilized assets and facilities on Sunday could generate badly needed revenues.  This would assist in developing alternatives to the periodic increasing frequency of raising the price of a first class stamps. Consider going after other available untapped potential revenue streams?  These sources could reduce operating deficits and perhaps even turn a small profit. Sell advertising space on mailboxes, at post offices along with the small jeeps, regular trucks and heavy-duty long-haul trucks. Sell off some of the valuable real estate and move to less expensive locations.
 
Join banks and fast-food restaurants that sublet space at Wal-Mart and other big box stores to open smaller post offices. Generate both revenue and customers by subletting excess capacity at underutilized post offices to other government agencies along with private sector businesses. License corporations to sponsor stamps for a fee.
 
Have members of Congress such as Schumer and colleagues, State Legislatures and other elected officials pay the full costs for their annoying bulk rate mailings to constituents. They are nothing more than free re-election campaign brochures subsidized by taxpayers. Charge the full price for all junk mail. Future increases in the price of stamps should be tied to inflation.
 
Apply free-enterprise solutions including working with Amazon and other private sector businesses to provide a more cost-effective product, reduce deficits and prevent more branches from closing thus keeping its commitment to serve the public well.
 
 
Larry Penner

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