By John Q. Hosedrinker 
David Steiner, former CEO of Waste Management and current FedEx board member, has been appointed the next postmaster general of the U.S. Postal Service. This appointment, announced by the USPS Board of Governors, has raised concerns among postal unions who fear it signals an impending privatization of the service. Critics cite Steiner’s background as a conflict of interest, given FedEx’s competition with USPS. While Steiner and the board maintain that he will uphold the USPS’s mission, unions express deep apprehension about potential job losses and the erosion of universal service. The appointment comes amidst a 10-year modernization plan and ongoing financial challenges for the agency.
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The appointment of a FedEx board member, Steiner, as the next USPS postmaster general is raising serious concerns, especially given the ongoing discussions surrounding the privatization of the United States Postal Service. This move feels deeply unsettling, triggering memories of past administrations where the pretense of avoiding conflicts of interest seemed to be abandoned.
The potential consequences of this appointment are far-reaching and deeply troubling. Almost every business in the US relies on the USPS, and placing someone from a direct competitor in charge is an unmitigated disaster waiting to happen. This decision would disproportionately harm Trump’s rural base, a somewhat unexpected silver lining for some. It also directly contradicts the constitutional mandate that establishes the USPS, requiring a constitutional amendment for privatization. Such an amendment appears highly unlikely, making the whole situation even more precarious.
The predicted outcome under Steiner’s leadership is a drastic deterioration of service. First-class mail costs are expected to skyrocket, possibly reaching $5 per letter. Reliable and timely delivery to all addresses, especially in rural areas, will become a significant challenge. And the claim that a future Democratic president will be unable to remove Steiner only amplifies the growing sense of alarm.
The choice of Steiner, from one of the most criticized and unreliable courier services, to lead the USPS seems nonsensical. This appointment feels less like a serious selection and more like a deliberate act aimed at dismantling the USPS. The selection follows the appointment of Louis DeJoy under the Trump administration, whose tenure was marked by deliberate efforts to cripple the postal service, paving the way for privatization.
This move is perceived by many as part of a broader pattern of dismantling public institutions for private gain. The sale of national parks and the closure of other public entities further fuel these concerns, drawing disturbing parallels to the privatization of assets in post-Soviet Russia. The resulting damage to the nation’s infrastructure and public services could take decades to repair, if it’s even possible at all.
Many argue that the USPS’s profitability is precisely the reason why businesses are so eager to take it over. While the USPS operates profitably in some areas, its commitment to providing service to even the most remote and unprofitable rural communities is crucial. Eliminating this service would not only be detrimental to those communities but would also dramatically increase the USPS’s overall profitability. This demonstrates the shortsightedness of privatizing a service vital to the nation’s fabric.
The appointment raises a significant conflict of interest. A person deeply invested in a competing business is now tasked with overseeing a public entity. This situation is alarming, especially considering the lack of accountability and the prolonged tenure of figures like DeJoy.
The predicted consequences of privatization include significantly reduced service, especially in rural areas, where residents may have to travel long distances to pick up their mail. This paints a grim picture for millions of Americans, and many feel this situation is a direct result of not participating in or voting responsibly in previous elections.
The privatization of the USPS is anticipated to severely impact small businesses, leading to higher costs and difficulties in shipping goods. The financial consequences are especially damaging for those already struggling, illustrating the far-reaching impact of this decision.
The appointment of Steiner is viewed by many as an explicit attempt to destroy the USPS, ultimately aiming to undermine a service vital to the functioning of American democracy. This reflects the troubling ideology that public services should be profitable, overlooking their crucial role in maintaining a cohesive and functional society.
The potential cost of subsidizing rural areas after privatization is staggering, estimated at over $10 billion. This adds another layer of complexity to an already critical situation, highlighting the economic inefficiency of such a move. The entire situation is viewed as a deliberate strategy by some to dismantle essential public services for private gain, illustrating a disturbing trend in the erosion of public trust and accountability.
The current situation is seen as a direct threat to the core principles of American democracy, and underscores the importance of vigilance and active participation in the political process to prevent further erosion of public institutions.