The other day I had to go and pay a speeding ticket ( The first one since 1972). It turns out that the court house was closed, motor vehicle registration wanted $10 to process it and asked "why not mail it?" What a novel idea! Down to the post office I went and paid my 65? cents and the job was done. Now the other options were to use Paypal or Visa online. While standing in line I kind of asked myself "Why am I mailing this?" The other options were free. This caused further thoughts such as " In hard times, why does the P.O. still exist?" And , "If it were to disappear tomorrow, would I miss it?" The Government is always looking for ways to cut costs. Is this not a candidate? Our mail is mostly flyers and bills (which are paid automatically, so would we miss it? Not sure!
How about you? Is the post Office a near-extinct function?
in the US, is seems to be inching towards that possibility every day. i still like getting an actual card in the mail now and again. not everyone keeps an internet connection...
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't miss all the junk, that's for sure...but, there's so many people employed by the postal service. My sis retired from there, and my nephew still works there. It seems sad in a way to me, I love getting Christmas cards, hate the online ones, and I don't have internet service at home. In fact, a lot of older citizens don't even have computers. Yes, I'd miss the postal service!!
ReplyDeleteThe post office is a dinosaur. A tsar. a leisure suit. a politician. Great question, my man.
ReplyDeleteThere is serious discussion going on about the US postal service, they are spending waayyy more than they generate. I haven't bought any postage in I don't now how long, I couldn't even tell you how much a regular stamp is right now. Would I miss it? Not at all. I think we could easily utilize other private carriers to get the job done just fine. I feel bad for letter carriers, but it's a total waste of tax payer money. Climbing off my soap box now...
ReplyDeleteIt does need revamping, that's for sure!
ReplyDeleteAccording to the NY Times, the U.S. Postal Service could be forced to shut down operations early next year unless Congress steps in. I say let them shut down and send the 600,000 unemployed postal workers to Canada and Mexico.
ReplyDeleteThere are a few things that need to be shipped via the post office, unless UPS or Federal Express took it over. Packages, books, cards, and such need to be shipped. But the PO here in America may have run its course. As long as I got my book orders delivered I wouldn't miss it. I don't know what we do with the government workers who used to have cushy, guaranteed, non-fireable jobs that seem to be in jeporady today. Maybe the Old Geezer has solved the problem.
ReplyDeletehttp://gailatthefarm.blogspot.com/2011/09/death-of-postal-serviceopinion.html
ReplyDeleteYes, the post office will fade away someday, but I will miss it. Just another "thing" that has always been in my life that will disappear. Change is the only constant in life, but I do hate to see somethings gone forever. Mickie :)
ReplyDelete