President-elect Trump is reportedly considering privatizing the U.S. Postal Service, a move opposed by progressives. Discussions regarding this privatization, involving Trump and his transition team, cite the USPS’s financial losses as justification. Critics argue that this privatization effort is driven by a broader hostility towards public services and would disregard the public’s strong support for the Postal Service. Furthermore, they point out that the USPS’s financial struggles are partly due to burdensome pre-funding mandates, not inherent inefficiency.
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Trump eyes privatizing the U.S. Postal Service, citing its financial losses. This isn’t a new idea, and it’s fueled by a long-standing debate about the Postal Service’s role in a modern economy. The argument often centers around the fact that it’s not a for-profit entity, and therefore shouldn’t be judged solely on its financial performance in the same way a private corporation would be. Many argue that the USPS provides a vital service to the entire nation, and that its worth extends far beyond simple profitability.
The claim of financial losses is often used as justification for privatization. However, a significant portion of these losses can be attributed to a Congressional mandate from 2006 that required the Postal Service to pre-fund its retiree health care benefits 75 years in advance—a unique and exceptionally burdensome requirement not imposed on any other entity.… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood