How can we reduce the size of the US post office?

Question

I think this is about the biggest waste of money. 80% of what the post office does is transfer junk mail from one place to another. Delivering junk mail = transporting garbage. Any thoughts?

Answer 1

The Post Office isn't wasting money, since it makes virtually its entire budget from potage fees. Since it is self sufficient, it isn't impacting your taxes much at all.

In fact, the US Postal Service makes a small profit which is dumped into the coffers of the US government.

If you want to look at wastes of money, look at "farm subsidies" and the repeal of the estate tax. These are benefits that impact very few people but have a huge impact on the US budget.

Answer 2

Funny enough, the post office probably makes more money from that junk mail than they do from legit mail. They are paid very well to deliver it.

Answer 3

people pay big money for that "junk mail". That is marketing material to those that are paying the postage. To us it is junk mail. To the post office it is a product, just like your bills and letters.

Answer 4

If everyone stopped using the Postal Service they have to fold. But they perform a very valuable service and do it quite well. If you don't like the junk mail seek removal from mailing lists and write your congressman to ask for relief.

Answer 5

Can't blame the junk on the post office, though. Like the saying goes, don't shoot the mesenger. :P

But then again, this is just me talking. I'm a huge post office supporter, as my dad works at the post office. But that's very irrelevant.

Answer 6

If you really want to reduce the size of the USPS then I'd suggest contacting Congress and telling them to get rid of all the useless middle managers that never touch the mail.

For a more efficient USPS, that raises rates much less often tell your Congressperson to support S. 662 and H.R. 22 which will let the USPS focus on delivering first class mail.

Credit offers: The major credit agencies all sell aggregate credit information any bidder. Direct mail and credit companies generate mail based on demographics including zip code, income band and credit payment patterns. Stopping this is easy, you just need your address, former address within two years, and social security number. One call does it all for agencies Equifax, Trans Union, Experian and Innovis. Dial 1-888-5 OPT OUT (or 1-888-567-8688) 24 hours a day.

Local business & supermarket fliers: All mailings must be identified, by postal regulations. Each lose-leaf bundle of fliers, by postal regulations, must be delivered at the same time as an address card. Locate this address card; the cards usually have an advertisement and a photograph of a missing child. Call directory assistance to get the phone number of the sender, and call to get off the list:
ADVO (Mail comes with pictures of missing children). Call 1-860-285-6100 to get off the list. You may have to send a postcard to "ADVO Consumer Assistance, POB 249, Windsor CT 06095-4176".
Val-Pak Coupons: click the link and fill out the form - easy, but don't give them your email address.
Carol Wright Call 1-800-67-TARGET to get off the list.
Your local newspaper & supermarket (look for a phone number on the piece).
Most senders are professional companies which will handle your request politely. "ADVO Mailbox Values" and "Harte Hanks Potpourri" are the most common of these mailers. Your local supermarket's monthly coupon books may be handled by these companies, so be sure to specify if you want to continue to receive those. Your letter carrier is accustomed to giving each house a bundle, so you may also need to inform him or her of your action separately. The post office is prohibited by law from delivering unaddressed mail, so you should have little trouble convincing the carrier.

Too much junk to deal with individually: Start by sending a postcard or letter to Mail Preference Service, Direct Marketing Association, PO Box 643, Carmel, NY 15012-0643 Include your complete name, address, zip code and a request to "activate the preference service". For up to five years, this will stop mail from all member organizations that you have not specifically ordered products from.
The Direct Marketing Association estimates that listing with their mail preference service will stop 75% of all national mailings. They process 50,000 requests a month and requests are kept active for five years. If you fill out the post office change of address form, the DMA will track the new address (you'll get a few months of mailings to the new address before they catch up to you). It can take up to six months for your request to be fully processed. You can also opt-out online, but they charge $5. The best way is to fill out their online form, then mail them a printout.

Answer 7

I'd argee with you. What are you going to do? As a country we reelected Mr. W Bush, not once, but 2x. As if we didn't learn from the first four years, that it was a mistake.

We have other issues to worry about than transporting junk.

Answer 8

I guess you don't want your bills or packages????

Maybe just charge more for bulk mail. Right now, companies get a discount on bulk mail..... OR

Come to think of it, wouldn't it be easier if you just turned around and threw out your "junk mail" like the rest of us???? I think the system is fine.

Answer 9

Biggest waste of money?!? The government is making billions on companies and citizens sending mail, why should we stop it?

Answer 10

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