Citizens Stamp Advisory Committee Protest Against USPS

Read it for yourself...it sounds like there is some serious consternation between the members of the CSAC and the USPS:




-- See more at: http://www.postal-reporter.com/blog...ipoBKUj.dpuf

The CSA is filled with 13 people just like me and the normal American - not. Lets see we have instructor of the school of arts, former postmaster general also a stamp collector, a business man who founded his own company, retired congressional staffer, Tv sports commentator,president of the American Film Institute, professor of African studies, philatelist / author, antiques and collectibles appraiser, Founder of The Brand Extension Agency, Vice president and chief communications officer, Hearst Corporation and Former Governor, U.S. Postal Service Board of Governors.

Yeah they sound like they would really represent me the citizen.

The short of what they do.

The Committee's primary goal is to select subjects of broad national interest for recommendation to the Postmaster General that are both interesting and educational. In addition to Postal Service's extensive line of mail use stamps, approximately 20 new subjects for commemorative stamps are recommended each year. Stamp selections are made with all postal customers in mind, not just stamp collectors. A good mix of subjects, both interesting and educational, is essential.

Committee members are appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the Postmaster General. The Committee is composed of a maximum of 15 members whose backgrounds reflect a wide range of educational, artistic, historical and professional expertise. All share an interest in the stamp program and the needs of the mailing public.

The Committee meets four times yearly. At these two day meetings, the members review all eligible proposals that have been received since the previous meeting. No in-person appeals by stamp proponents are permitted. The criteria established by this independent group ensure that stamp subjects have stood the test of time, are consistent with public opinion and have broad national interest. The members also review and provide guidance on artwork and designs for stamp subjects that are scheduled to be issued.

I agree with Mkfarm assessment of the CSAC . He makes valid points and describes the body's "intended or promoted" functions .
By the same token ( just for debate purposes.... nothing personal ) postage stamps through out history were used as a way to promote ideas. For example "atoms for peace", "Parent teacher association" , and"1950s free trade" promote nuclear power , the free global trade economy (which we have today ) as well as our public school / PTA union . Now as a common citizen those examples are not ideas which we sit and debate among our families and friends . Those are concepts that current members of the CSAC study and debate. While mkfarm make a very valid point and draws a clear contrast between the common citizen and the members of the CSAC , we must remember that postage stamps are not only a "tax" but a propaganda device. It is sad but true.

As for this rift between the CSAC and the USPS , I think it genesis has much to do with the 2008 congress "75 year pension funding" and stamps sales "profit boosting" .

Postage stamps are not a tax, they are payment for a service.

Call it a service fee, service charge, processing fee, administrative fee, surcharge, whatever. It's a payment to a government to perform its function. That's a tax in my book.

Cheers, Robert

I disagree with calling stamps a tax. It is indeed for the service of conveying an item - usually a letter or document within an envelope - from one place to another. If I used the same exact service from UPS or FedEx I would not call it a "tax." Why would we do that for the USPS service?

I think the CSAC has done a pretty good job over the years. It is never perfect, but it has been an attempt to keep the stamp world isolated from the world of D.C. politics. No, it doesn't always work and can't always happen, but it's good to have a lot of strong personalities on a committee like this. It means a better chance of avoiding the D.C. shenanigans. My guess is that the CSAC did not protest without great forethought and without good reason. These are not knee-jerk no-nothings.

So are stamps taxes? Well this will surprise you the answer is, It was but now not considered a form of tax. Up until 1982 it was a cosidered a tax.

In 1982, U.S. postage stamps became "postal products," rather than a form of taxation. Since then, the bulk of the cost of operating the postal system has been paid for by customers through the sale of "postal products" and services rather than taxes.

You can read more here.

http://usgovinfo.about.com/od/consu...spsabout.htm