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Post Office Begs for Congress' Help

We can't pay all the bills this year: chief

By Ambreen Ali, Newser User

Posted Mar 25, 2009 12:03 PM CDT

(Newser) – The Postal Service can’t pay all of this year’s bills, the postmaster general warned Congress today as he proposed shedding $6 billion in costs and Saturday service. He clarified that the agency—which doesn’t get taxpayer subsidies—wants Washington’s help, not a bailout. Due to declining mail volume, this year’s losses are expected to be worse than last year’s $2.8 billion, the AP reports.

[Images (3)]

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Postmaster General John Potter testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington earlier today. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

A man walks past a United States Postal Service mailbox. (AP Photo/Mike Derer)

Postmaster General John Potter testifies on his agency's dire straits before Congress today. (AP Photo)

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Without a change we will exhaust our cash resources. We can no longer afford business as usual.
- John Potter, postmaster general

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COMMENTS

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Showing 3 of 3 comments

BackAgain

Mar 25, 2009 11:59 AM CDT

Another bailout this should go over well. http://www.officialtaxdayteapa...

gianpaul

Mar 25, 2009 6:50 AM CDT

Have to be practical: Obama says he is for change and efficiency. So test him! Privatize the post office, but do it better then the Germans or the Swiss or the Brazilians did it. (I happen to know the 3 cases): Must be done in a full-fledged, generous way. Get a viable enterprise started, no Wall Street -type of gimmicks. Honest and efficient business. And give the guys the starting capital they need. Better then shove more into banks, car manufacturers and what have you.And you all know that not everything can go electronic. Even books one may order via the net have to be delivered!

Robert_Dada

Mar 25, 2009 5:07 AM CDT

Wait!! Oh yes, wait a minute Mr. Postman. C'mon now - what assistance do they need? Downsize to adjust to the lower market base. Christ I'm doing everything possible to reduce my mail by going electronic. It's more efficient, less costly and environmentally friendly.

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Post Office Begs for Congress' Help