1. United States
2. Calif.
3. Letter

My great concern is for the possibility of crippling and then privatizing the United States Postal Service. The spurious idea that a government should function like a business is at the root of this idea. Businesses are run to make a profit. A government is organized to ensure necessary services to the nation. This move would in fact be disastrous for the American people. Though cost and efficiency are taken into account in the provision of postal service nationwide, profit is neither a relevant nor appropriate consideration. The Postal Service’s mission is to provide the nation with reliable , affordable, universal mail service. Those three adjectives: reliable, affordable, and universal, encapsulate the reasons that a for-profit entity will never deliver the comprehensive benefi ts of our mail system. USPS delivers to every community, no matter how remote or how small. No for-profit entity will continue such an expensive endeavor. Cost effectiveness and profit for shareholders will obliterate universally provided delivery. No for-profit business will be as reliable as USPS. They have no incentive to be, because such extensive service would lower their profits. The Postal Service delivers to more than 150 million addresses six days a week, and picks up pre-paid letters and packages at the time of delivery. It provides mailing and shipping services through more than 36,000 retail outlets and usps.com. What for-profit business would ever make that commitment? In order to make a profit, a business will cut existing services, close outlets, raise costs, a nd/or cut hours of operation. What will happen to mail service in small isolated communities? USPS has approximately 705,000 union workers. What will happen to those contracts and those jobs? Remember that your constituents rely on USPS for prompt delivery of medicines, pay warrants, and other critical materials. What business is going to reduce its profit margins for the sake of guaranteed rapid and dependable service to every person in our country? The Washington Post and the Wall Street Journal reported the plan t o disband the US Postal Service’s Board of Governors, as a first st ep toward control and then privatization. This plan must not go forward. Protect USPS. Refuse privatization. A government is NOT a business!