Postmaster General Warns Congress About Default, Insolvency

I just read this on the CNN web site, the number that got me was that payroll and benefits comprise 80% of operating costs.

http://www.cnn.com/2011/US/09/06/po...ml?hpt=hp_t2

Art

Just heard a similar news report this evening on Fox. They went on to point out that in addition to labor costs, the reason for the USPS financial dilemma is due to their having to have a foot into 21st century technology (i.e. competing with e-mail, etc.) while at the same time having a foot into the 19th century (i.e. still making deliveries by postal carriers in Alaska wearing snowshoes, or in the Grand Canyon via the use of mules.)

Either way, there is no efficiency in the business world for such labor intensive delivery requirements, while being "told" where they must place their post office locations and then having to go through labor intensive hearings to close unproductive offices.

It's an understandable dilemma. In fact, I heard one news outlet ask for people to call in with a survey as to whether the USPS is even needed in the 21st century. I'd be interested to see the response.

One thing that gets lost in all this talk on how much money the USPS loses, is how much money other Government programs lose. At least the USPS provides a service, how much money has NASA lost in the last decade ? In the bigger picture the USPS is just a drop in the federal Governments large pail of Financial troubles.