Why the US Should Hold Onto USPS

Opinions on Debatable Issues #3

USPS is the oldest and most important public goods in American history. It has catalyzed the development of many of our nation’s essential networks. Our national roads, railroad systems, and even airlines were kicked off by a need to transport mail around the country as efficiently as possible. 50 years after its establishment in 1971, USPS has survived and continues to play an important role in our daily life. It is among the country’s most popular institutions, enjoying approval ratings as high as 90 percent. The transparent and straightforward public review demonstrates the dedication and favorable service USPS has been providing to the US citizens for decades. However, an increasing volume and amount of voice are advocating for abolishing the Postal Service amid the Pandemic, criticizing its inability to pay for the accruing debt and inefficient delivery.

In response to the criticisms, I would argue that most of those issues are not legit reasons to wipe out the great contributions and services provided by USPS to have it abolished. The slow delivery is mostly due to the political tension that intensifies as the presidential election approaches. Besides, the opposition regarding the debt and lack of profit fails to consider the essence of USPS. The Postal Service was founded by Congress to achieve various public purposes, and is not a private enterprise despite the PRA gives the Postal Service a high degree of independence from other Government offices. Thus, making money is never the purpose of the USPS. As applied to public education and public libraries, self-sufficiency is not the measure of any public federal agency’s success. Otherwise, all public schools and libraries, fire stations, and police offices should all be eliminated on this ground.

Now, leave aside the shortfall of USPS, we should honor, instead of depreciating, the Postal Service’s crucial contributions and its advantages.

First of all, USPS is mandated by the Constitution. Article I, Section 8 authorizes Congress “[t]o establish Post Offices and post Roads” because of the importance of communication and interconnection. As James Madison explains: “The power of establishing post roads is a harmless power, and may, perhaps, by judicious management, become productive of great public conveniency.” He is right, the USPS does bring convenience to the US. It delivers 48 percent of the world’s mail to 160 million homes. At this very moment, U.S. Postal Service carriers are delivering masks and respirators to the front lines in the battle against the coronavirus pandemic. The postal workers maintain the nationwide service of delivering essential mail and parcels, such as prescriptions, food, and household necessities, as well as distributing a hundred and thirty million copies of the C.D.C. guidelines for coronavirus safety. They are moving test kits to labs and prescription medication to seniors. Moreover, USPS is responsible for delivering financial support checks and cash to small businesses and unemployed individuals, serving as the crucial bridges between citizens and governmental assistance.

Taking a step back, USPS is gravely important and indispensable in normal American lives. According to postal times, due to its national reach and presence, it’s often the only personal point of contact people have with the federal government. The Postal Service works closely with other agencies in providing passport services, getting Census Bureau surveys out to the public, and sending and receiving absentee ballots. It has the infrastructure, such as post offices all across the country, even in small rural communities that aren’t economical for private-package delivery companies to service, making it irreplaceable. Currently, we all rely on the mailing ballot to vote for the upcoming election, which demonstrates the necessity of USPS, an extensive and collective network that facilitates communication and distribution within the entire nation. In fact, the service that USPS provides is so vital that the House has just passed a 25 billion bill to reverse changes that have slowed down its services to ensure it functions smoothly.

Furthermore, USPS supports the sustenance of thousands of American families, especially the minority and vulnerable populations. Today, the Postal Service employs more than 630,000 workers nationwide, making it among the largest employers in some states and comprising nearly a quarter of the entire federal workforce. Together, the workers constitute thirty-two thousand post offices and nearly five hundred processing and distribution centers, handling a hundred and forty-two billion pieces of mail each year. Getting rid of it will not only affect the recipients but also those who rely on delivery to make a living. Among the six hundred and thirty-three thousand employees, nearly half are people of color, and more than a hundred thousand are veterans. The demise of USPS will be a harsh blow to especially those who are already vulnerable.

Sources:

• https://www.downsizinggovernment.org/usps-and-constitution#:~:text=O’Keefe%20says%20that%20the,mean%20that%20it%20has%20to.
• https://guides.loc.gov/federalist-papers/text-41-50#:~:text=The%20power%20of%20establishing%20post,PUBLIUS.
• https://www.uspsoig.gov/blog/postal-service-essential-building-block#:~:text=You%20may%20not%20know%20it,country%20as%20efficiently%20as%20possible.
• https://www.newyorker.com/news/annals-of-communications/we-cant-afford-to-lose-the-postal-service
• https://postalnews.com/blog/2015/05/09/postal-myths-2-the-usps-is-not-a-government-agency/#:~:text=It%20is%20neither.,to%20achieve%20various%20public%20purposes.&text=Additionally%2C%20the%20USPS’s%20employees%20are,Federal%20Employees%20Health%20Benefits%20Program

Check out other Opinions on Debatable Issues:
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- Why the US Should Hold Onto USPS
https://mypathtowardsmindfulness.org/2020/09/01/why-the-us-should-hold-onto-usps/
- The Fairness of Progressive Taxes
https://mypathtowardsmindfulness.org/2020/09/12/the-fairness-of-progressive-taxes/
- The United States Elections Should NOT be Run as a "Lottocracy". https://mypathtowardsmindfulness.org/2020/09/26/the-united-states-elections-should-not-be-run-as-a-lottocracy/
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- Defending Patriotism
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