This article examines President-elect Trump’s consideration of privatizing the United States Postal Service (USPS), a move deemed impractical and potentially harmful. The USPS’s universal service mandate ensures nationwide mail delivery, a service no private company would profitably undertake, especially in rural areas. Privatization would jeopardize hundreds of thousands of unionized jobs, many of which have historically provided upward mobility for minority communities, and negatively impact numerous businesses reliant on affordable, widespread mail service. This action contradicts Trump’s populist rhetoric concerning job preservation and support for working-class Americans.
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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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President Trump, citing the USPS’s $9.5 billion fiscal year loss and substantial liabilities, has expressed interest in privatization. Discussions with his commerce secretary nominee, Howard Lutnick, indicate a potential overhaul impacting hundreds of thousands of federal employees and potentially disrupting shipping and supply chains. This plan, though lacking specifics, follows previous conflicts with the agency, including attempts to shift key functions to the Treasury Department. Despite its recent financial struggles, the USPS remains a highly-regarded institution with a long history and a recent success in handling mail-in ballots.
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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