US Government Shutdown And The US Postal Service

As most will know, the US Postal Service is unaffected by the US Government Shutdown because they "receive no tax dollars" for their operation. So post offices are open and mail delivery is as usual.

However, it is interesting to note that the US Postal Service OIG (Office of the Inspector General) is affected by the shutdown as illustrated by this statement on their official website:



Also affected by the US Government shutdown is the Postal Regulatory Commission, the entity charged with reviewing the US Postal Service request for a 2014 postal rate increase.

Shutdown is front page news Down Under. Interesting concept. Can't inspire much confidence in the government.

"It is illegal…"
Wonder exactly what law it breaks if an employee did perform some work during the furlough (pro bono)? Could a non-excepted, yet dedicated, employee really be fined/imprisoned for being willing to donate his/her time?

Absolutely they can. It's a Federal mandate unfortunately. I really wish they would get their err...crap together. That's all I'm sating about that.

So let me understand this correctly...The USPOD is a quazi Gov't. entity/satellite or are they completely unaffiliated?

Don't stamp designs have to be "officially approved" before production?

Theoretically ( and actually for all I know) the postal service is a private corporation. That said, the government is heavily involved in its operation.

Only when it's convenient for them though right? lol

The United States Postal Service is an Independent Agency of the United States Government. The Wikipedia entry provides an explanation:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indepe...s_government

Even if they were a part of the government, they would certainly be considered an "essential" operation, and would stay open.

Does this mean we can have crime days with them not working?

No big deal anyone that has worked for state job has gone through this more than a few times.

The Postal Service receives a "small" amount of money (I don't remember the amount, but it is in the millions) from appropriations for "Congressionally mandated reduced postage rates" (i.e., the Congressional free frank). So, does this mean the Postal Service is not accepting Congress' outgoing mail? That would be ironic.

Cheers, Robert