Letter: She has problem with way government chooses to waste tax dollars

TO THE EDITOR: Mr. Gaslin, I am quite familiar with the concept of creative destruction.

I will, however, stick to my proverbial guns on the issue of the USPS. The internet has caused this phenomenon in many industries, including music and print media, to name a few.

The current state of the USPS, however, is not solely due to the rise of the internet. After being semi-privatized, the USPS decided they needed to update their antiquated systems. In the mid 70’s, they sought to close underutilized post offices, which they calculated could save them $100 million a year. These offices served only a few people or were located very close to other offices.

Politicians, however, didn’t like that idea, and to stop it they amended the Postal Recognition Act to prohibit the closings. In 1977, the USPS decided to suspend Saturday delivery, which they calculated would save $400 million a year. Again, the government interfered and the House passed a resolution opposing the change.

Being unable to execute either those strategies has cost the USPS $500 million a year for the last 30-plus years (probably much more given inflation).

Please Mr. Gaslin, tell me more about how our tax dollars are going to good use. As a proud American, I have no problem paying taxes. I do, however, have a problem with the way our government chooses to waste them.

As a taxpayer, I demand that the government at least operate within the realms of what is taught in a basic economics class. The CEO of a retail business would close chains that are not bringing in profits; the government keeps them open and continues to incur massive losses. The CEO would be fired; the government is let off the hook by taxpayers who ignore the facts and look the other way.

Tags: opinion, letters, politics