The Post Office

[mikoyan29]

Not sure how factual this is but it seems to fit an MO of late.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dave-j...b_2666451.html

[Andara Bledin]

I don't know about the rest of it, but the information about the assault on the PO with the intent of destroying it so that it's bones can be picked by private enterprise is probably more or less accurate.

^-.-^

[HYHYBT]

Sounds about right. They pull the same thing with schools, after all.

[mikoyan29]

Well, we used to have a municipal trash pick up and I think it has pretty much been taken over by either Waste Management or one of the other companies. I'm seriously surprised that there isn't a group out there waiting to take over the water company...of course that may not be profitable. There have been the charter schools waiting in the wings for a while. And I think the verdict is still out on them...it's pretty nice to be able to cherry pick your students...kind of helps in skewing the data in your favor. heck, for profit groups have been even trying to pick away at Universities (note I said for profit...private universities have been around forever). And for some reason, I don't think we are getting more for our money....

[bara]

Having reliable post is a must for a country. It should remain a government service. As far as Saturday deliveries.. I think we can do away with that.

There are quite a few services that people need to have reliable at all times. Post is one of those things. The others are police, rescue, paramedics, education, healthcare. No particular order there since I think all are must haves.

There are some services that truly should not be on a for profit basis. That doesn't mean that those working in those fields should not be able to make a very healthy living. They should, but we need to get into the 'Star Trek' mentality when it comes to public services.

[TheHuckster]

There are quite a few services that people need to have reliable at all times. Post is one of those things. The others are police, rescue, paramedics, education, healthcare. No particular order there since I think all are must haves.

There are some services that truly should not be on a for profit basis. That doesn't mean that those working in those fields should not be able to make a very healthy living. They should, but we need to get into the 'Star Trek' mentality when it comes to public services.

I agree with you on most of those things, although education is something which is so screwed up in this country, it still needs some kind of overhaul on all levels, from K through college. There are many non-profit private schools which are giving children a decent education, but even if they offer scholarships and vouchers to underprivileged families, it's still a pipe dream for most families. Meanwhile, the affluent communities keep public schools well-funded while less affluent communities keep getting the shaft.

And with college the way it is, where in order to get up any kind of ladder you need at least an associates, if not a bachelor's degree, and people are more and more saying even that's not adequate for some fields, where you're not going anywhere without a masters or PhD. This would all be fine and dandy if college tuition weren't continually increasing.

Many people are advocating for giving education more federal oversight, and if done the right way, I think that's all good, but I think one of the problems with education as it stands right now is it's so overly bureaucratic, it gets in the way of teachers doing their job. And usually federal oversight means even more bureaucracy.

But, back on topic, I do think the post office needs to remain a government service, since it's still essential to people's lives, and when efficient and reliable, frankly isn't really all that profitable. The reason stamp prices keep going up is because they are adamant about maintaining their level of quality and service. I know some people would laugh at that statement, but seriously: When was the last time something of yours really got lost in the mail?

[Aethian]

The reason stamp prices keep going up is because they are adamant about maintaining their level of quality and service. I know some people would laugh at that statement, but seriously: When was the last time something of yours really got lost in the mail?

I like when people declare that the price we t up cause we want raises. Letter carriers just got out contract after two years of not having one. Over the next four years we will get a 3.5% raise. No COLA's, step increases have been slashed and the length between them has gotten longer.

I like to mention lots that the price if gas affects us too as well as the fact that the government takes money from us, gives none back, and then during election time sends out political mail for less then standard and has to be treated as priority mail.

[bara]

[QUOTE=Aethian;132648and then during election time sends out political mail for less then standard and has to be treated as priority mail.[/QUOTE]

And boy howdy do we sure like tossing that crap in the garbage!

[Aethian]

The hell..?!

[the_std]

The hell..?!

Uhm... The hell what? Care to add a little context to that bizarre response?

[Aethian]

Uhm... The hell what? Care to add a little context to that bizarre response?

You don't see Bara's post?

[the_std]

You don't see Bara's post?

I sure did, but I don't know what you're "the hell"ing about. Is it the fact that she didn't close the first bracket that includes the "quote" part of the HTML tag? Or... What?

[Aethian]

I sure did, but I don't know what you're "the hell"ing about. Is it the fact that she didn't close the first pract that includes the "quote" part of the HTML tag? Or... What?

Where did I ever say I threw away mail?

[the_std]

I think that, if you re-read that post, it seems that bara is saying that THEY, the mail recipients, enjoy throwing it away, not you, the carrier. I could be mistaken, but that's how it reads to me.

[Aethian]

I think that, if you re-read that post, it seems that bara is saying that THEY, the mail recipients, enjoy throwing it away, not you, the carrier. I could be mistaken, but that's how it reads to me.

I don't know what your seeing but all I see is

And boy howdy do we sure like tossing that crap in the garbage!