I think military families should be able to send their loved ones letters and packages free. Our government can't afford to let them? Can they afford their potential loss? Come on Uncle Sam!!! Do the right thing...let us send our boys a piece of home at the RIGHT price!!!
2006-12-08 03:05:32 · 14 answers · asked by grneyeslaughing 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Military
That's what happens when you have a capitalist government with a socialist infrastructure. The government is forced to charge fees for the use of their programs in order to finance the socialist programs (the ones that lose money). You know; like welfare, food stamps, WIC, FEMA, the loans given interest-free for 7 years to towel heads that own 7/11 franchises, the grants given to make federal agencies "bi-lingual" (Those posters in the DMV aren't cheap to print, especially with two languages. And why only Spanish? Why not German, or Chinese?....huh...).
2006-12-08 05:26:47 · answer #1 · answered by melloncollie23 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Although sending letters FROM an APO/FPO address is free, I've never been able to figure out why sending a letter TO the same APO/FPO address isn't. It's just going in the opposite direction. It's supposed to be a 'benefit' to be able to send mail (I think under 20 oz., but I'm not 100% sure) HOME, but I think getting mail here is just as important.
The reason that it costs money to send larger packages to and from here is because it costs money to transport it. The Postal Service has trouble making a profit as it is, so don't look for free packages any time in the near future. FED/Ex and DHL are also over here, but with them, you're paying for speed, so I guess it's worth it.
The point was already made that you ARE getting a good deal on the postage rates, since sending a package over here (7,000 to 10,000 miles or so, depending where you are in the U.S.) is charged at a domestic rate, not an international one.
Perhaps if we cut back on some of Congress's benefits or cut the pork out of the Federal Budget there'd be more than enough money to send stuff here for free, but getting re-elected always seems to win that fight.
2006-12-08 14:14:46 · answer #2 · answered by Mitch 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If packages and letters were free to send, there potential of abuse would be too great. Money is the great equalizer and in order to prevent the postal system from being bogged down with everyone sending in their big box care packages, only those who can afford it will do it. Even something smaller like letters and CD's or DVD's will still cause a problem because there are many big hearted people who will want to send stuff to ALL of the troops and people who will get groups of people to send letters to the troops. So if the mail system is obstructed by all of this free mailing and shipping to the battlefield, that will prevent those of us with more pressing business to do what we need to do through the use of the mail.
2006-12-08 11:36:40 · answer #3 · answered by Joe K 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It is partially free. When you send a letter or a package to a troop overseas it goes to an APO address. That means you only have to pay the postage as if you were sending it to a stateside address. Compare the cost of sending a letter/package to New York versus sending that same item to a civilian address in Iraq and you will see the difference. The postage really isn't that bad.
2006-12-08 11:17:43 · answer #4 · answered by k3s793 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
considering that we send mail Overseas using a stateside mailing address, we get a pretty good deal..domestic rates for Overseas service.
APO/FPO to APO/FPO is free as well.
The USPS has already given us a good deal with flat rate boxes and envelopes in a variety of sizes. no company or organization is under any obligation whatsoever to provide discounts or freebies to servicemembers.
We are indeed lucky period to be able to send packages and letters in a timely matter to a war zone.
2006-12-08 12:28:57 · answer #5 · answered by Mrsjvb 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
i've never thought of that before but you are completely right! because sending those letters gets pricey and even the smallest of packages ($4 + to send a cd with no case so you can imagine a care package bein sent!) all this time i thought it was good that it was sent on rates as if they were in the states!!! excellent point you've made here!
2006-12-08 11:10:50 · answer #6 · answered by butter_cream1981 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The uk had a scheme in place that ended today where we could send free parcels to iraq or afgan for christmas we have bluies which are pre paid letters which are for when the boys are on any tours and we also have the bluie option to use via the internet
2006-12-08 13:00:39 · answer #7 · answered by sammie 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree with you. Or maybe at a discounted price, like $1 a package. I feel letters especially should be free. If you've ever sent someone a package over there you know how much it helps boost their morale. You should bring this up with your state's senators and representatives. They might be all for it, especially if they have served themselves.
2006-12-08 11:13:03 · answer #8 · answered by viennagirl 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I'm sure that it could be free if the price of fuel went down. im sure thats the major reason why we cant send for free. aslo we do have to pay the people who are working to send those packages. its kinda how the world works.
2006-12-08 11:10:01 · answer #9 · answered by puppy#4 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I wish that they would and I've mentioned it on those stupid surveys they send spouses about deployment. I mean if your soldier is staying in a tent w/ no shower, or PX he needs things and those items should be free to send.
2006-12-08 11:55:45 · answer #10 · answered by snipeswife 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋