When another service offers to take a letter from out in front of my house to Hawaii for 45 cents, I'll consider otherwise. Priority mail is way cheaper than UPS, FedEx, or any other service I've checked with.

The "USPS is going bankrupt" argument is just the GOP plan to bankrupt it by requiring that it fund ten years of retirement benefits. That puts them at a competitive disadvantage (since no private company has to do that) and isn't an excuse. Without that requirement, they're running a surplus. It's the most efficient and effective way to deliver mail and packages. Hell, UPS and FedEx won't even bother to service some areas. The Constitution requires the USPS to exist AND to serve everyone no matter where they live.

Oh, and on top of that, while UPS and FedEx can change their rates at a whim, the USPS has to get the permission of Congress to do so. Now, just how is it they're supposed to dig theirselves out of the hole Congress put them in?

...but, iirc, there used to be a 3rd class book rate for shipping books--but if you enclosed a note, you were supposed to add first class letter postage to the book rate.

I am a very small business owner that sells online. I ship at no charge to anywhere and everywhere in the USA, Hawaii, Alaska, and US territories for free. I know that the Rethugs have set this up, to ruin the USPS to make more money for their corporate masters.

If the USPS goes under, I do not know how I can remain in business. I cannot afford UPS Ground shipping without charging my customers a huge shipping fee or raising prices dramatically to absorb it. I sell custom products that get delivered by the USPS for a great price and after over 1200 shipments have only had 1 that was 'lost'. A pretty great record. Not only that, but packages arrive in about 2 to 3 days. Per item charges run about $3.00. UPS Second Day? About $9.00!

There is a great article on Esquire that has links to a WhiteHouse.gov petition to help save the USPS. The article also has great info on the history of the United States Postal Service and how it has served and benefited our country. Ben Franklin would be proud.

The Esquire Article
Sign the petition and make Ben Franklin happy!

And thank you for the link!

(edit: After I signed it, I tweeted and facebook'd it too)