(2010-04-12) — Just hours after the General Accounting Office (GAO) said the federal government’s mail delivery system is “not viable“, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced that Democrats would introduce legislation containing an “individual mandate” aimed at reversing the $238 billion in Postal Service losses that the GAO projects over the next 10 years.
“The problem with the post office is that you don’t have to use it,” said Rep. Pelosi, D-CA. “As long as free market alternatives and sheer abstinence persist, the public-option communication tool will suffer…and therefore, the American people will suffer. Everyone has a right to send letters in a federally-approved truck, airplane or satchel. Those rights shall not be denied simply because a vast majority of Americans either don’t write letters at all, or use non-sanctioned means like so-called electronic mail.”
The Speaker said the new measure would require every citizen to participate in the official postal plan, or face steep fines and possible prison terms.
The White House said today that President Obama backs the Pelosi Postal Reform bill, quoting the president as saying, “If you like your email you can keep it. You’ll just pay a small fee to have your messages copied onto paper, and mailed in physical envelopes as well.”
Small businesses with more than 50 employees would also face the requirement to duplicate any mass email blasts, or website postings with bulk-mailed paper advertisements bearing the same message.
The bill would not eliminate private-sector delivery services, Rep. Pelosi said, but would require FedEx and UPS to charge no more than the first-class postage rate (currently 44 cents) for anything mailed, regardless of size.
12 responses so far ↓
1 boberin // Apr 12, 2010 at 12:16 pm
I like it! Now, if we could do something like this for healthcare we'd have something!
Funny Scott!
2 ChileSerrano // Apr 12, 2010 at 1:20 pm
bob: It's those young, healthy kids that are ruining it for everybody else. If they would just write home occasionally and say hello, the Postal Service would have plenty to do. But oh no, they only break down and write when they absolutely need something - usually large amounts of money …
3 boberin // Apr 12, 2010 at 1:29 pm
I think you're on to something here…darned kids, most everything is their fault somehow!
4 onlineanalyst // Apr 12, 2010 at 1:37 pm
Old joke correspondence between young, healthy kid away from home and parent footing the bill:
Son: Dear Dad, No mon, no fun, your son.
Dad: Too bad, so sad, your dad.
The government is doing its best to keep the postal service hopping. It sent two mailings to indicate that the census form was arriving and voila! the census form itself. Is that like the formula for giving a speech? First, I tell you what I will be talking about. Then, I talk about the issue. Finally, I summarize what I told you. (In ObaMao's case, though, he gives a "Let me be clear" speech, which is followed by administration lackeys clarifying what he meant by what he said. Such clarity!)
5 boberin // Apr 12, 2010 at 1:50 pm
Don't forget the census "reminder" they're sending
6 debass // Apr 12, 2010 at 5:29 pm
The census reminder brought to you by the Department of Redundancy Department.
7 velville // Apr 12, 2010 at 5:54 pm
If the Speaker cannot figure a way for her husband and her friends to make money on this deal then she is against it. But don't worry: Hare and Lobiando will vote for it as long as they can follow John Conyers' lead: they don't have to read the bill or consider the Constitution.
8 Beerme // Apr 12, 2010 at 10:29 pm
…and the Natural Guard.
9 CallMeShelly // Apr 13, 2010 at 12:25 am
I suppose next we will be forced to send Christmas Cards, Easter Cards, Valentine Cards and on Obamommy's birthday, a card on Africa Continent Pride Day.
10 CallMeShelly // Apr 13, 2010 at 12:29 am
Oh by the way Aunt Sarah and Uncle Willy sent an Easter Card from wonderful Arkysaw and told me to say hi to all the Scrapplers!
Spring floods have come through and washed all the cow droppings away and as you all know, in Arkansas, all rivers flow south to Little Rock. Willy is attempting to redirect the flow to Chicago.
11 JamesonLewis3rd // Apr 13, 2010 at 12:47 pm
We received a second Census Form yesterday—the same day I drove to the post office and mailed the first one. This one also says (in a humongous font-size) that I am required by law to respond. It reeks of ineptitude.
12 Hawkeye_R // Apr 13, 2010 at 5:37 pm
Another brilliant piece Scott! But the sad truth is that this is exactly the way Democrats think… sheesh!
(:D) Best regards…
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