Originally posted by: Brainonska511
Originally posted by: sactoking
We've had 7 rate increases in 10 years, amounting to ~33% increase in the cost to mail a letter. Add in a dropped delivery day as well? That's ridiculous.
Obviously SOMETHING at the USPS is very stinky. Eliminating Saturday delivery won't fix the underlying problem(s). Until someone is put in charge with the knowledge and authority to do what needs to be done the USPS will never be viable entity again.
Yet rate increases AFAIK have still been below the inflation rate.
And when you raise letter rates by a cent or two every other year, of course it looks like a large percentage. You're just playing with numbers to make it sound ridiculous.
B.S.
Between 1919 and 1974, a span of 56 years, there were 6 (SIX) rate increases. That's one every 112 months. From 1975-1985, a 11 year span, there were 5 increases; one every 26.4 months. From 1986-1995, 10 years, there were 3 increases; one every 40 months. In the latest 10 years (1999-2008) there have been 7 increases; one every ~17 months.
From 1919-1974 the rate went from $.02 to $.10; a 400% increase. Inflation was 174%.
1975-1985 saw rates rise from $.10 to $.22; a 120% increase. Inflation was 94%.
1986-1995 rates went from $.22 to $.32; a 45% increase. Inflation was 37%.
1999-2008 rates went from $.33 to $.42; a 27% increase. Inflation was 31%.
What we have here is an institution who's costs have historically FAR exceed inflation. They've asked for more increases recently than ever before. The most recent increases have, for the most part, kept pace with inflation.
The USPS has no excuse- it is a horribly managed institution. It either needs to shape up or shut down. Stopgap measures like canceling Saturday delivery will do nothing to solve the USPS problems.
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