Can a Nation's Oldest Organization Survive ???
It's February !
1/12 or 8.3% of 2013 is already over.
On a national level, we've been through a Fiscal Cliff, a President being inaugurated for a second term with changes in his cabinet, continued talk of gun control, and the nation is gearing up for Obamacare.
On the local scene, we've seen more HOA indictments and a stadium developer sued by our town.
But nothing....nothing...has me more upset...
Than....ANOTHER POSTAL RATE INCREASE.
Yup, they've done it AGAIN...and creating havoc in the process.
As of January 27, 2013...a first class postage stamp increased from 45 cents to 46 cents, along with a whole bunch of other increases and changes to this "most efficient" organization.
Yes, the FOREVER STAMP, just increased in price.
Here is a list of the LATEST surprises just in case you send a bill payment and it's returned two-three weeks later with a corresponding LATE notice from the place you mailed your payment.
Ever wonder just how much these rates have increased ?
I did.
So, I researched the history of the cost of a first class postage stamp.
From 1932 to 1952...TWENTY YEARS....the cost was 3 cents.
From 1952 to 1958...SIX YEARS...the cost was 4 cents.
From 1958 to 1963...FIVE YEARS....the cost was 5 cents.
From 1963 to 1968...FIVE YEARS...the cost was 6 cents.
From 1968 to 1971...THREE YEARS...the cost was 8 cents.
From 1971 to 1974...THREE YEARS...the cost was 10 cents.
...and so on and so on until just a few days ago, it jumped another penny to 46 cents.
2012
2013
That's right, the FOREVER STAMP took one year to increase from 45 cents to 46 cents.
I realize that the internet has changed our lives, and more and more of us are using direct deposit and online bill payment, but by doing so...
...is it the beginning of the end of an institution ?
As of March 1, 2013 no one will be receiving a social security check by mail any longer. You will be REQUIRED to have an account at some financial institution where this money will be directly transferred.
Though 93% of those receiving social security benefits currently utilize this method, there still remains 5 million Americans who currently receive paper checks...
... the elimination of them estimated to further reduce Postal Service revenue.
...and it doesn't take a scholar to understand what this means in terms of future mailing costs....for FOREVER STAMPS.
So....as this trend undoubtedly will increase, what is the future of an institution that was hailed by our nation's first Postmaster General, Benjamin Franklin, back in 1789 ????
Can it survive ?
Can the country and the world do without a mail service ?
I suppose it can. After all, the world did survive the demise of the buggy whip factories and commercial horse shoe enterprises, so this might be just another result of "progress".
I don't know the answer, but what I do know is that I would be saddened if did close.
I'd miss not getting Christmas cards or sending Birthday cards. Already, over the years, these cards have diminished in favor of electronic mailings...impersonal mailings...perhaps explaining just how impersonal this world has become as a result of what we call...
PROGRESS.
Dick Arendt
"Snail mail" has it's place. CHRISTmas cards and birthday cards are wonderful ways to show people you care. I love to include little "trinkets' in my mailings like bookmarks, customized return address labels, etc. and you just can't do that through email. I think they should privatize so there won't be so much government waste.
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