Postal Service Follies: It’s No Laughing Matter –Michelson

The USPS is in dire financial straights; no one can argue with that. Shrinking mail volumes, onerous union contracts, inefficient work rules, outdated business practices, requirements to “prepay” retiree health benefits and Congressional meddling, are all contributing factors. And, there seems to be almost as many plans, as there are problems, to fix what’s obviously broken. As of press time, the USPS has come out with its own wish list of necessary cutbacks, President Obama has proposed solutions as part of his overall U.S. deficit reduction plan, and Congressional lawmakers have floated ideas that range from draconian cost-cutting measures to mere band-aid fixes.