Weekends are truly weekends, without mail delivery. It's 2 days to be completely disconnected from all those "real life" things that the mail brings.

Does anyone really need to get their electricity bill on a Saturday, instead of Monday? Businesses that are closed on the weekend certainly don't care.

I can't imagine a reason I would want mail coming to me on a Saturday.

Sid

communications. So I like the mail. Why get bills in the mail?

But they sure as hell don't come by Post Canada.

Sid

I get plenty of mail from Canada. I get plenty from most countries actually Sid. Mail from Canadians comes from Post Canada delivered by USPS.

there's no such organization as Post Canada. Mail in Canada, and from Canada, is delivered by the Canada Post Corporation. If you're going to lecture another poster about the labour history of Canada Post, at least get the name right.

There's Postes Canada if you're French.



Sid

Something you ordered online, if not in your mailbox by Friday, would not get there until Monday.


People might care about that.

Others, especially those used to that service, might not like that one bit.

Sid

getting mail twice a day. Anyone remember that? Back then the mail man walked around the neighborhood. When he would get to our house dad would be home for lunch and dad would offer him a cup of coffee and a piece of cake or something. That is when you knew who your mail person was. Not anymore. My local mail person drives up to the mail box. If she has a package she beeps the horn on her car and we go out and get the package.

Two chances that my secret decoder ring might arrive...

After 14 years in Seattle. No Saturday delivery has not affected us one iota.
We also have all our mailboxes at the end of the street or road. In other words, no door to door delivery. We have a key to a mailbox and and we walk, drive whatever to get our mail.

funded? Do you know how Post Canada is funded? Do you understand that the strain USPS is under is a constructed issue made by Congress? Do facts matter at all?
Current price to mail a letter inside of Canada is 63 cents. In the US it is 46 cents. So they pay more and get no mail on Saturday anyway. Why do you think that is?

Sid

I know employees of the system. Sorry I reversed the words. How terrible of me, and good reason to
evade the content of my post.

with respect to Canada Post.

Sid

no Saturday service. It is a fine system Sid. The facts are not an insult. I love my industry and we've had lots of strikes.
The OP implies incorrectly that the USPS is tax supported, which it is not and the claim that it is is a right wing talking point.
I do not know how your system is funded, which is why I asked the OP if he knew that, as he does not know how our own system is funded. It would be responsive of you to educate us about that. Instead you carp and accuse. Not sure why that is.

Of course it's going to be more expensive to service a smaller, more spread out population.

Our fuel prices are also 30-40% higher than in the US. I paid $1.31 per litre for gas yesterday, which is almost $5.00 per gallon.

You're comparing apples and oranges with respect to postal rates, bnw.

And I carped because the OP asked a question of Canadian DUers, and you jumped in with "answers", and a condescending tone, and couldn't even get the name of Canada Post correct.



Sid

The OP is only ostensibly about Canadian practices, our countries and systems are just as you say, apples and oranges. That was part of the point I was trying to get to by asking the OP some questions. The OP suggests that USPS is run from tax funds and that it can be compared to Canada Post apples to apples. I asked questions, Sid, none of which the OP answered, nor have you answered. You also claimed I had facts wrong and yet I did not. When asked to show me my errors, you respond with this, which I totally agree with. To compare our two postal systems is apples and oranges was in fact my point.
The OP is actually about current possible cuts to USPS. It claims taxes are used to run it. Taxes are not used to run USPS. Is Canada Post funded with taxes or what? I have no idea. The OP wants me to use your system as a model for ours and so I asked him if he knows how Canada funds the mail.
So again I say, it would be responsive to what I actually wrote to explain the funding of the Canadian mail, does it get tax funds yearly? Ours does not. Does yours? I have no idea. So I asked. The OP and then yourself.
Your rates are higher and delivery practices different because of the differences you state and others. Not just the rates, but the practices vary because of those factors. Just because we do it does not mean it would work for Canada, and also the other way around. Just because cutting delivery days and door to door delivery is needed in Canada this does not mean it is needed here. Just because we can have lower rates does not mean that Canada could have the same rates.
I think you inferred things I did not say. My entire point is that USPS is not funded by taxes and that we can not compare our services to yours without taking into consideration the differences between the countries and the systems, one can not compare honestly without also contrasting.

... on this forum would be better informed.

I guess that is the result of years of letting gawdamn righties frame every issue.

The USPS isn't the problem, it's our worthless damn Congress and spineless Democratic "leadership" that is.

I'm betting you could find quite a few others countries that don't have Saturday service.

As to the problems, I would think bills would be the major issues. The second major issue would be the elderly and disabled who depend on mail service, don't use the internet and who receive Social Security checks.

I think the best way would to be to slowly phase out Saturday service over the course of a year. For example, the first three months of 2014 no Saturday mail on the 1st Saturday of the month, Starting in April eliminate the 3rd Saturday, in July the 2nd Saturday of the month, in October the 5th Saturday (which only happens in October), then Dec 31st all Saturday mail.

At the same time Congress needs to fix the stupid problem with funding the health care funding 75 years ahead. If they cut it to 25 years with the cut in Saturday service that would probably be enough to balance things out.

Last time I was there friends told me that they didn't get mail on Saturdays.

I had a relative that lived there for 2 1/2 years and also have a Facebook friend there. That makes sense.


***8,000***

I wouldn't want to take away Saturday service if it hurt the elderly or disabled.

who can still get a physical check in the mail.

Wait till there is no USPS and see what happens to shipping rates.

That "privatization" thingie has always so good for us, huh.

Then bitch about about how you are getting screwed, right?

And even if Saturday mail delivery is abolished, under the proposal packages will still be delivered on Saturdays.

Is Fedex or UPS required to finance their retirement benefits for the next 75 years, upfront? The USPS is. So, save the "it ain't so bad crap" for some other rube, 'cuz this one knows the real truth.

Because privatizing pensions worked out so well. I can't wait to see what privatized mail and education look like. Maybe they will privatize libraries next that way kids that don't have computers at home and can't download books because they can't afford Kindles or iphones can't access books anymore.

... you get a rough idea of just how deep "teh stooopid" has penetrated.

One is griping that we get "junk mail that goes straight to the recycle bin." I guess it never occurred to him(her) that the "junk mail" keeps the prices down on the rest if the mail, stuff that people in isolated areas DEPEND on, areas that btw, UPS and Fedex DON'T provide service to, since it isn't "profitable." Guess who Fedex and UPS sub-contract deliveries going to those areas to?

Fucking, duh.

.. would be working quite well if Congress in it's "infinite wisdom" wasn't playing hitman for the "private carrier" industry and saddling the USPS with a requirement NO OTHER PRIVATE industry has to meet. None. Zero. Nadda. Ziltch. I'll "calm down" when our fucking government starts acting in the best interests of WE THE PEOPLE and less like the fucking lap dogs of the corporate PIGS. And I damn sure don't need your approval to speak my mind.

shutting down abortion clinics or the post office.

... there are people here carrying their water for them and selling their bogus talking points. No damn wonder this nation is circling the bowl.

My hero!

Very well-said. There is a proper time to be polite, and this ain't it.

incorrectly that USPS is tax payer funded when it is not.

... you would either be paying many times what you are now or you would have no service at all. That "junk mail" picks up the tab.

the 'crap' gets shipped at a much lower rate then regular mail.

You don't know what the fuck you are talking about.

I order something from Home Depot, and they forget to put our space number, and UPS can't find me, but the post office ALWAYS finds me. UPS sends the undeliverable card to my house without the space number, and the post office brings it to my box. LOL!

UPS would go out of business if the post office isn't around to pick up THEIR slack.

Although most of us don't really get delivery at all. There's no 'to your door' mail delivery - hasn't been for a long time except for small pockets around the country. You get to walk to a mailbox usually at the end of the street to retrieve your mail. Packages are usually held at the local post office and you have to go pick it up.

That said, it's not a big deal, except for I did live in an area where everything came to my doorstep and was spoiled. Usually around Christmas they will have Saturday delivery to deal with the excess mail. I don't think it makes a big difference one way or another.

Over a million of us in the metro area and the only cases like what you describe are apartment complexes. Packages are always at least attempted to be delivered.

Plus I get mail on Saturdays.

Other than Netflix I do not really care about Saturday delivery.

I miss getting packages to my door.

There was a HUGE uproar back in the 80's when they started phasing out door to door delivery in an attempt to 'save money'. What ended up happening was a lot of letter carriers ended up without a job. Good, union jobs. I disagree with how Canada Post has been moving away from good union jobs towards things like contracting out sorting etc. It's always the same refrain: they are running a deficit, they need to save money so here's why they 'need' to lay off workers....You watch, that's what'll happen eventually with USPS. That said, not having Saturday delivery is not really a big deal.

One thing USPS excels at is international delivery. Fed Ex and UPS are horrible and expensive. When I order packages online, I always ask for it to be shipped USPS.

nt

...how does the USPS do their international deliveries? I don't think they have a presence in foreign countries. I thought they just handed them off.

but you just don't get enormous fees like the couriers charge. Couriers not only charge you for every little thing, but they often itemize things incorrectly which causes large duty fees too, that you then have to appeal. USPS seems to get it right FAR more often.

all over the world. The USPS has always done a fine job with both our domestic and international deliveries, and yes they are way more reasonably priced than FedEx and UPS.

Some of it may be an urban-rural issue; of course, in rural areas it's difficult to do the door-to-door thing. I did live in a small city in northern Alberta in the late 90's and even got it there (now there's a hardy bunch of carriers!).

However - I noticed that a number of the new subdivisions have the mailbox at the end of the street. My friends moved into their new house around the same timeframe I mentioned above, and they have that system too. But they're also mini mcmansions - for the time you'd walk around the sprawl there, you'd barely have delivered anything.

sounds like where I live. Well, not MY street (all townhomes/duplexes) but y'know. I've lived in a small city in northern BC and we had door-to-door. I have lived even further north (in BC and Alberta) in multiple small towns and had to go to the local post office to pick up my mail (try to order stuff online with a PO box address, ugh!). I'm in a suburb now of a major city and we get boxes at the end of our streets. My brother lives in the city, I don't think I've ever asked him if he gets door to door. I doubt it as he's in a newer subdivision.

I know what you mean about hardy - my daughter used to deliver papers (daily) in northern BC. It used to take her 2 hours/day. She was 12 at the time. She never did get cold. I couldn't have done it. She says she's just 'warm-blooded'. I made sure she had the best clothing, but still, even her fingers wouldn't get cold in -40! She'd make a good northern mailman lol!

Interestingly, the areas that will suffer due the attack on the Postal Service by republicans are the places in the country that vote those jackasses into office.

USPS pays it own way mostly, yet gets treated like a business. Unlike businesses, they have the restrictions of not being able to raise their prices and having to completely fund their pension plan by having the cash on hand. The USPS creates a lot of middle class jobs and is spread out thru every single community in this country. It is a constitutionally mandated government service. Why help the GOP dismantle it? Maybe the Defense Department should have to pay its own way?

It has a $15 billion line of credit with the Treasury Department which it has exhausted and owes to the taxpayers. The last two years they have not made the "required" prefunding payment yet they still lost money. It is not constitutionally mandated -- it is authorized. A big difference. Yes the DoD should have to pay its own way.

http://money.cnn.com/2013/02/06/news/economy/postal-service-cuts/index.html

Name one other business, public or private that is required by law to fund it's entire retirement benefits program for the next 75 years, in a span of 10 years. The USPS was given that poison pill by OUR government, with the full intention of driving them out of business so "private business" could jump in and rape the public with HIGHER rates for LESS service.

Those are the facts. Not the claptrap, Republican "free market" shit you are peddling.

You said there was no taxpayer funding. The taxpayers have paid out $15 billion. All you can do is stutter and say "Bullshit". This "required by law" provision does not seem to mean much. The P.O. has not made the payment for two years now and I don't see anyone being lead away in handcuffs. They still lose money even though they are not making the payment "required by law".

I think we should be paying taxes to support it.

No tax dollars go to the USPS. That is a Republican lie. There are links in my other reply that tell the real story. The person you are responding to either doesn't the truth, or is deliberately misleading you.

Why are we fighting to keep post offices open? So that rural and poor people still have service. Well, we all want the service but we are really fighting for those who really need the service not just want the service. So, maybe we should pay taxes for it.

But just not force feeding the Poison Pill of 2006 to the USPS is all is necessary for now. It was designed to kill.

ONE MORE TIME. Not one fucking penny of taxes goes to the USPS. Period. in fact, your Republican friends borrow the funds they require the USPS to bank for future retirement funds.

How you coming with that list of businesses required by law to have 75 years of retirement benefits funding banked in a single decade? Funds that your Republican friends can "borrow" to give tax cuts to their cronies. Huh?

Lay it on me.

Here's a sampler of reality:

http://www.deathandtaxesmag.com/194275/yes-republicans-are-trying-to-shut-down-the-united-states-postal-service/

http://federaldaily.com/articles/2012/06/26/ig-report-says-usps-overpaid-billions-into-pension-funds.aspx

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-08-02/understanding-the-post-office-s-benefits-mess.html

http://www.cnbc.com/id/45018432

http://my.firedoglake.com/kaytillow/2011/09/26/whats-the-real-story-behind-the-postal-crisis/

You attempts to shut off discussion by accusing someone of being a Republican or right winger doesn't work with me. Save that crap for the newbies. You are saying Treasury funds are not taxes? What are they? Is the Treasury Dept. playing lotto and giving those proceeds to the P.O.? You keep on blaming the prefunding payment when it is not being made. So much for this big bad law. The P.O. ignores it and keeps on going. And losing money because of Luddites who want to pretend it is 1913 instead of 2013.

Be sure and make another snide post to me. Here's how it will read to me:

"You are ignoring this member."

I pay all bills on line, bank on line. Hardly use it.except to mail something. Which is not often.

We only bother to pick it up on tuesdays and fridays. works for us. What's the rush?

And really, you only pay bills once a month or get checks once a month so once a month mail would do.

For anything really time critical there's always FedEx, and their rates are so reasonable, well at least if you live somewhere they happen to deliver to.

In the 19th and early 20th centuries, as the automobile became more and more prevalent, the frequency of stagecoach service between US cities was gradually reduced until it was eventually phased out altogether.

days a week. That should be fun.

Note that all four of those methods deliver your physical body somewhere, something that cannot be done by email.

Domestidc mail is more costly in Canada than in the US right now which indicates that cutting Saturdays did not address cost issues well there.

as you don't know what domestic mail would cost right now in Canada if they had not abolished Saturday delivery all those years ago.

Perhaps Canadian postal workers are paid more generously than their US counterparts?

I said it suggests it did not address all of their issues, which are not the same as our issues. It is really unfair and impossible to compare the systems directly as peers, the two countries are physically very different and the costs of delivery vary between them as do the needs of the populace. What works for them is not instantly applicable to us. Same if you reverse it.
Your OP suggests that USPS gets tax funding, which it does not. Do you know how Canada funds their system? I don't. Can't begin to compare budget issues without knowing all of those things.
I just think that without a complete compare and contrast of the two systems it is specious to affect a discussion of Canadian practices as a way to advocate American cuts to services.

Who came up with your postal code?
a letter, a number, a letter, is that the letter O or a zero? a one or the letter l?
I'm so confused.

so there's no confusion between O/0 and I/1.

If you see something that looks like a O or 0, it's a zero
If you see something that looks like a I or 1, it's a one.

Sid

....thank you! I have to give and get Canadian addresses from time to time.
Now if I can only remember that rule.

I'm just glad that so many of the post offices in smaller communities were allowed to remain open. I worked in one for a long time ... we were sooo close to losing it.