My letter to the editor that appeared in the L.A. Times (Feb. 9) and Monterey Herald (Feb. 10)*:

It’s called the U.S. Postal Service because it is a service, not a corporation. Who decided the Postal Service must be profitable? Do other government agencies, like the Defense Department and Department of Education, have to turn a profit? Benjamin Franklin was the first Postmaster General and the Post Office has faithfully and effectively served the American people for over 237 years. But now it is under attack because, gasp, it’s losing money. Well, duh, the Republicans in 2006 made postal workers pre-fund their retirement 75 years in advance, making it nearly impossible for the USPS to make a profit. Let’s be honest: conservatives are at war with the Postal Service because they want its services privatized and they want to cripple one of the largest labor unions in the country. If Congress insists that the USPS be profitable, then the solution is simple. Raise the price of stamps a few cents. How difficult is that?

Arlen Grossman                                                                                               Monterey

 

*with minor editing in both publications