The Interesting History Of The USPS

The U. S. Post Office began in July of 1775 in the great city of Philadelphia,

Pennsylvania, and the first Postmaster General was Benjamin Franklin. The purpose

was to unite everyone in the country with a communication system that cost the same for

everyone in the country. The U.S. Constitution contains language mandating that this

continue. Obviously, modern times have changed communication but our Constitution

has not. And, as the country has evolved, Congress has passed legislation directing

the Postal Service on how to continue fulfilling its constitutional duty. One such law

changed the U.S. Post Office Department to the U.S. Postal Service (USPS). The law

also requires that USPS satisfy its constitutional mandate while breaking even using

only postage revenue (in other words, no tax payers’ dollars). USPS has been successful

doing this with only a 45 cent stamp. Great job, USPS!

Unfortunately, in 2006 Congress passed another law directing that USPS pay for postal

retirees 75 years in the future. No other federal agency or private company has this

obligation. Even though this law has nothing to do with the mandate in the Constitution,

USPS has paid $5.5 billion every year for future retirees. It is this 2006 law that is

causing the financial woes of the USPS. And, as a result, USPS has had to consider all

options to save money, including cuts in days of service, closing postal facilities, and

eliminating jobs.

The USPS employs over a half million people by itself, and is responsible for at least

that many more jobs in the private sector. PostalUniformXpress.com, a leading online

store for low priced postal uniforms and accessories, is one of the many organizations –

with dozens of employees – that relies on USPS. Can’t we keep Americans working?

Does the USPS need to pay for retirees that are not born yet? Should the 2006 law be

changed?