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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2009
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5

Post Office Begs for Congress' Help

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

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(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.

Postmaster General John Potter testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington earlier today.
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.
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.
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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Robert_Dada
Mar 25, 09 12:07 PM 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. Reply
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TerrifiedCitizen
Mar 25, 09 12:08 PM CDT
The Post Office has been getting help since its inception... it's time that the business of mail joined capitalism like the rest of America and became fair and completely privatized. Reply
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TerrifiedCitizen
Mar 25, 09 12:19 PM CDT
That's right Robert... there's no longer any documents that can't be sent digitally less costly, more securely, faster and with less damage. The manual post delivery, like newspapers, has outlived its era and both need to determine how to reinvent themselves or simply leave. I unhappily recognize though that the the office has become an errand boy for previously incompetent and insecure administrations, and its protected status may keep it on an unnatural life support. Reply
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gianpaul
Mar 25, 09 1:50 PM 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! Reply
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BackAgain
Mar 25, 09 6:59 PM CDT
Another bailout this should go over well. http://www.officialtaxdayteaparty.com/index.html Reply
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