How The U.S. Postal Service Fell Into A Financial Black Hole

It's amazing how Defense gets so much funding and they can't even take care of the Vets.

DoD doesn't lose money because they rake in a lot of the drig cartels' money plus your tax dollars that are supposed to go on ficing your roads.

I was just thinking that. Like how many guns do we need? Cut that defense budget & send that money to the post office & back to the ppl

@@MrYoung11 In general you get a way more massive return on defense funding than the postal service. The tech development and skills development that come out of the defense industry tend to drive a lot of GDP growth in the future whereas the postal service would not

@@JD-my5ek Source? We spend an ridiculous amount on defense, more then any country in the world. I sincerely doubt it's profitable by any stretch.

@andrejagreen should we also not fund getting the nostalgic old woman her healthcare delivered?

@@diamondwave100 you're gonna lose it when you hear about defense contracts.

@@diamondwave100 I completely agree! I'm happy we're on the same page. #cutthedefensebudget

@Xeno Phon Yeah, and then once it gets privatised, it gets run even worse.

If you got rid of the post office. It'd destroy a big part of the middle class. It isnt the workers fault for how it is ran. It can be fixed and needs to evolve.

reddit.com/r/darknet needs usps to survive

Bingo! So true. What other Company/Agency plans for Future Expenses instead of "looking for funds at the last minute? Congress? Senate? Here s the Only entity that really try to keep customer costs in place!

Imagine calling the Junk Mail delivery service a positive contribution to society.

@@bftjoe Well, no one could mistake you for a positive contribution to society.

@@Theactualstoic You realize that the Post Office gets to determine how much other carriers MUST charge to deliver letters, right? What a load of bullocks.
So any business that is loses money ever isn't a business? Guess I learned something new today!

puellanivis they did mention that

Imagine not watching a video and then claiming it doesn't mention something it clearly does.

Secured job leads to less productive and innovative.

@@padmeskywalker186 “and not in the same breath”

@@bftjoe “and not in the same breath”

USPS is poster child for government waste and inefficiency of taxpayer dollars.
Meanwhile, UPS, DHL and FedEx have no problem making a profit.

Gwai Wohng yeah, while offering abysmal working conditions, extreme inequality and no financial security for workers. Is that your utopia of a society?

@@gwaiwohng2181 Try sending First-Class mail via UPS/DHL/FedEx and show us how much it costs.

@@gwaiwohng2181 If the Post Office charged the same rates as them it would put my ETSY business OUT OF BUSINESS. The Post Office is a SERVICE.

@@davidbang4731 You mean compare prices that are artificially inflated due to laws protecting the post office? Great logic.

Please read what you wrote, again.

@@j.lizbardo Is there any typo or grammar error in it? Because I can't see it. If you mean the content of what he said, well, that is nothing radical. If is the post office as a public service (just like policing and public schools), than it is not even meant to be profitable, it is meant to service all. Most people are not calling for privatizing policing because it is not profitable.

USPS is in our constitution. It is our right and necessary. DEJOY is trying to destroy it. If they need to raise first class mail rates they should do that but keep 📫 working.

Not anymore its been gutted to a corpse

A service is a business. What you meant was an obligation.

@Master Chief The USPS is required to fun pensions for people who are not even working for them yet. And cannot raise prices to stay competitive. The USPS doesn’t work because the US has bound and gagged it, and then called up to its boss to report it missing from work.

@Master Chief Your argument is well thought-out and convincing. You must do this for a living.

@Master Chief Are you saying that the Postal Service... never existed?

@Master Chief It's all a conspiracy. Maybe the United States of America never existed either.

@Master Chief The Prefunding mandate is from the 2006 Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act.

Should be self reliant like other countries

Because politicians don’t understand that difference anymore, since they don’t need to ($$$)

Somebody has to foot the bill. Taxpayers are tired of the Democrats 70% tax idea.
USPS is poster child for government waste and inefficiency of taxpayer dollars.
Meanwhile, UPS, DHL and FedEx have no problem making a profit.

@@gwaiwohng2181 Try sending First-Class mail via UPS/DHL/FedEx and show us how much it costs.

@@davidbang4731 That's because of government regulations that protect the post office monopoly on first class mail.

Because when they didn't run it like a business it was a blank check that wasn't taking care of its obligations. Did you not watch the video? They weren't funding their pension obligations and just passing that massive bill onto the taxpayers to figure out. They mismanaged themselves and needed to stop.

The postal clause of the constitution merely grants congress the right to establish a post office and it's routes.
It does not make the service a constitutionally guaranteed right.
It would be a bit tedious to explain constitutional law to you and explain exactly what this postal clause means and why it was necessary but in summary, unless a power is specifically in the constitution granted to the federal government then it's a power of the states, so the federal government cannot establish any post offices without the constitution granting it this authority.
This includes things like seizing land for the postal purposes, with compensation of course, much like forced purchases made for infrastructure like new or wider roads.
Also the postal clause only means postal service "can" be established not "shall be" established, meaning it's not a guarantee.
Congress can completely shut down the postal service should they vote on doing so.

The government should pay for the majority of it and don't they realize that all government money comes from taxes we pay, it's crazy, I am okay with my taxes being used for the postal service.

@@yuridavila6095 if you look at the postal infrastructure and how the government controls it then you would get a better understanding that it is a guaranteed right through past time and present interest. They have EVERY single address recorded like it or not. They USE that info and it is sold off. Ever wonder if you got mail for something or someone you never knew about or ever had contact with. It’s guaranteed in the sense that the information of every address is there and it will be used for personal, business or government use. Gotta look past face value in written law and see how deep the routes go between government and the post office. I understand the law for the post office but like anything else it’s about the use not so much of what is written, thousands of examples of written laws that are not taken literally but bent to other parties favor. The reality is that every address is guaranteed service by usps

reddit.com/r/darknet needs usps to survive !

@@n3wt darknet um conspiracy monger here.

Best mail system? USPS routinely loses my packages and letters. UPS and Fedex have never lost any of my packages (I am a heavy user of both). USPS's customer service is nonexistent. USPS should die. It is utterly useless.

@@pavelimani 🤔🙄🙄

@@pavelimani Screw UPS. I dont use them as I never know when the hell they show up and Im not going to wait all damm day for them to show only to have to drive to pick it up my self. The USPS also supports small business as contractors.

There are several agencies that self fund like the FCC. What we want is the best the postal service. That means it has to transform the way it operates, and treating it like a business tends to provide better results. There are certain sectors we have funded publicly, but don't allow change and their results flounder while costing more. Take for instance public education that just came out of a decade of failure. It wasn't until private companies entered the market of education that they finally improved like for poor black kids in cities.

@@pavelimani You should try using mail systems in other countries to better understand what we have here. Nothing is perfect.

Amen. The pre-funding requirement is ridiculous and the community banking would be a boon.

The economy was best when the middle class was making livable wages because unions were strong. There’s also nothing wrong with defined benefit plans. What’s wrong is expecting the USPS to prefund so many years ahead beyond anything reasonable. Unions are not the problem, Congress is.

It is disingenuous at best to suggest the unions are in any way responsible for the insane pre-funding law to begin with (they were not), and the postal workers union still opposes it.
apwu.org/news/urgent-weve-reached-house-now-lets-take-senate

What business offers defined benefits and retiree health care again? More insane logic from crazy Democraps!

It doesn’t matter what FDR said; he was incorrect in this case. Anyway, appeal to authority is a logical fallacy.
And name calling? The last resort of those with weak arguments.
The truth is the intent was to use the money to cover the deficit, which is hardly beneficial to the postal workers in the short run. The postal service is funded by postage, but if the federal government borrows money it costs taxpayers. So this whole scheme is just irresponsible nonsense and it’s time to get rid of the ridiculous requirement to pre-fund an unreasonable number of years into the future.

Sure but lets get rid of the government granted monopoly on first class mail and then you can talk about how profitable the post office was. Do you even know what happened to Lysander Spooner?

@@dutchbakery2195 Yes because the government forbids real businesses from competing, can you read?

thank you internet denizen, I've been waiting for them to hit on this the entire time, but not a word.

@@dutchbakery2195 Lower delivery prices, customers benefit. It's not like all the other countries which don't have a government mail monopoly suddenly collapsed. And why is the Postal Service a good thing in and of itself? Is the Postal Service your God or something?

@@dutchbakery2195 Are you dense? It's cheaper because that's the law. Do you have a low double digit IQ?
Oh somehow something is a public service in one country and HAS to be that way, but isn't in other countries. Got it, great logic. If FedEx or UPS charged low prices for letters they would get put put of business by the official mafia like what happened to Lysander Spooner.

He didn't fall, he was pushed.

Yes by giving overly generous retirement benefits to the workers unions.

@@bftjoe No, with H.R. 6407 Title 8 Section 803. I'd provide a link or the text, but can't imagine you taking time to read it.

Joseph Huang you don’t need to plan for 50 year pensions right now. No other union asks for this aside from police unions

@@ShidaiTaino Yes instead they should just not fund pensions at all like they were doing before.

Yes any job that makes me feel good and I unilaterally decide is "essential" should exist now and until the end of time!

@@bftjoe The Postal Service was established in the Constitution. It would take an act of Congress to get rid of it or privatize it.

@@utterbullspit No, the Constitution gives congress the power to establish a post office, not the requirement to. You have a very poor understanding of English and the Constitution if you believe otherwise.

So when I go BUY a stamp to buy the SERVICE of mailing a letter it isn't a business? Interesting, tell me more about what is or isn't a business.

@@bftjoe From the not O.E.D. - Service: a facility supplying some public demand (E.G. bus service).
Businesses are in business to make money and often to increase shareholders value.
If you cannot understand the difference there is little you'll learn in the KRplus comment section.

@@aterfelis4708 Oh so FedEx and UPS provide a physical product? Got it, genius.
Which definition of service did you cherry pick? Because that's not even the first, second, or third definition of service.

@@bftjoe I never said that there has to be a physical product, that was your addition. You are conflating the exchange of currency for goods or services and a business, which is typically a corporate entity who's primary goal is to increase corporate and shareholder value.
From the web -
Definition of service
(Entry 1 of 5)
1a : the occupation or function of serving in active service
b : employment as a servant entered his service
2a : the work performed by one that serves good service
b : help, use, benefit glad to be of service
c : contribution to the welfare of others
d : disposal for use I'm entirely at your service
3a : a form followed in worship or in a religious ceremony the burial service
b : a meeting for worship -often used in pluralheld evening services
4 : the act of serving: such as
a : a helpful act did him a service
b : useful labor that does not produce a tangible commodity -usually used in pluralcharge for professional services
c : serve
5 : a set of articles for a particular use a silver tea service
6a : an administrative division (as of a government or business) the consular service
b : one of a nation's military forces (such as the army or navy)
7a : a facility supplying some public demand telephone service bus service
b : a facility providing maintenance and repair television service
8 : the materials (such as spun yarn, small lines, or canvas) used for serving a rope
9 : the act of bringing a legal writ, process, or summons to notice as prescribed by law
10 : the act of a male animal copulating with a female animal
11 : a branch of a hospital medical staff devoted to a particular specialty obstetrical service
I picked 7, but if there's one you like more please feel free to point it out.

The postal service is labeled a “public service” and is labeled as such like the police force, firefighters, corrections etc. it is a government entity for the people and it is written in the constitution for that purpose so that citizens could have access to mailing across the US. It has been looked at as a private entity because leaders have forgotten it is an American right due to its constitutional origin. Due to this such a service just needs to break even to be honest. Even if it does not this does not matter. People just can sink in the idea that it’s not meant to be profitable but deliver service to the American people at every address as a constitutional right of service almost like a perk. The Government set restrictions as if it was completely a non profit government entity but expects it to run privately. That’s the biggest problem.

Same from Canada. UPS and FedEX have overage charges to us from as short a distance as 20 miles form the seller to the buyer. Why would I pay much more in shipping than the value of the piece of plastic that could have been sent via post office at 0.1KG?

I’m Postal mail handler at a P&DC and it’s always cool to see parcels going internationally. Thanks for using the USPS.

Stamps can't charge above inflation. Glad Pres had a hard look at where issues are now.

Why doesn’t the post office just charge a $1 per stamp I don’t get why it hasn’t happen. There legit isn’t a market. They are the only ones. Does the government have regulations or control over them upping the price of stamps?

people think postal workers got it made . I have been making friends with all my carriers in my neighborhood for years. They actually look out for me. . It is a hard thankless job. i have walked with some of them while they make their rounds. It is a shame how some of the people they deliver to give them flak for taking a short cut thru their yards or if somehow a mistake was made and they received some one eltses mail.

She probably deserves jail time if you ask me.

This is your tax money how about you move to venuzaula or north korea if you like government

I agree [minus the claps] it's like saying the military is a business that loses billions every year.

When has the military turned a profit? The forestry SERVICE, internal revenue SERVICE, the FBI, AFT,FCC,FAA ,secret SERVICE, ect. None of which are in the constitution.

Good thing it’s not the Americans running it down but the Businesses.

Ever heard of email? I don’t understand your first sentence or two because of all the “claps” you wrote, but there is no point to the USPS. FedEx and UPS deliver packages and make a profit because they innovate and cut costs. The horror that someone can’t get their social security check in the mail by USPS! It’s not like FedEx or UPS can do it, let alone just sending it online...

Oh the army is

💯 %

They had a progressive. Maybe you missed her despite talking almost exactly after the AEI.

@@KevinSmith-qi5yn , No, I would call her a genuinely neutral commentator. As a result, the political balance of the video was still tipped in favor of the right wingnut, free market capitalist narrative. To balance things out they should have also invited someone like Thom Hartmann or Robert Reich to speak.

@@Glenintheden
When I read up on her, she doesn't seem neutral. It also doesn't make sense to bring in the same people over and over again. They may not have researched the subject as thoroughly. She is much more a specialist.

Glen Wallace to invite a progressive they’ll have to go looking in a lunatic asylum. Hard to do during this pandemic.

The language "broken business model" in no wise implies that the USPS itself is a business. But rather the words "broken business model" most likely apply to the fact that, whether the USPS is a business in its own right, nevertheless it CONDUCTS business. As in, the USPS is in the business of shipping letters and parcels. Its business is the delivery of items from one point to another, and it is the WAY it conducts this business that is under scrutiny. You don't have to BE a business, to be in the business of achieving a goal or ends. For example, soup kitchens are in the business of feeding the hungry and homeless. That doesn't mean they're a business. Also one could say "It's none of your business." Nobody considers the mafia a legitimate business in any legal sense. They do not hold a business license, they do not have a business tax status and do not enjoy the legal protections normally afforded to businesses. But if you're IN the mafia, and you get whacked, what's the last thing they tell you? "It's not personal. It's business." You see, the word business has multivalent meanings depending upon the context.

@@robh3007 I think you just defeated yourself in this argument. Take care.

Thats where i think the usps should fall in line with that department.

It's not going away. Don't worry. But it should be privatized.

@@gwaiwohng2181 y so ccp can spy?

Gwai Wohng privatization literally means gone.

@@sachin2842
Yes he and above u *jo""" "* everywhere and he should mind his Chinese communist business.

Exactly!

Investing in crypto now should be in every wise individuals list, in some months time you'll be estactic with the decision you made today.

@@seanabigail6153 Most intelligent words I've heard

Seems crypto is overtaking the stock market in the recent bull run haha

Stocks are good but i swapped and invested in Bitcoin and other Cryptocurrency. I have been making good profits.

This actually makes a lot of sense 👍

@@puzzleluvr This makes a lot of sense until you realize it would cost more to purchase an electric vehicle vs a gas vehicle plus 20 years of fuel. Electric vehicles are just not to that scale of production yet to the point where they are economical.

@@Georgeqaws this is not true because with the amount of money you spend on fuel versus electric the car would eventually pay for it self
For example my sister used to drive an 70 miles every day for two years an electric car however you would have saved 10000 dollars in the same amount of time driving the same amount of miles

He litterally does pay taxes lol, he has paid more taxes than you or anybody in your family will ever pay for 5 generations

@@Noe-gj9mw 750.00 and nothing at all for many years. Undoubtedly you are a member of the cult.
Open your eyes.

@@kentmorton2872 You should use more reliable source than anonymous source from nyt with no physical evidence available. Also remember when Rachel Maddow illegally obtained his taxes from 2005?

@@seancasity7538 I really don't care how they were obtained. Sean can you tell me why a innocent man is trying to hide his taxes from the people that he works for so vehemently? I don't have to get burned to know that fire is hot.

@@kentmorton2872 If he had anything to hide the IRS would be flocking to him like flies to a hot cake. Also there's a difference between personal taxes and federal.

SOLUTION ONE: legalize weed (it's already legal under 14th Amendment's Equal Protection Clause but the govt and press ALWAYS LIE for politics) and have ONLY GOVT sell it, and USPS delivers.
PROBLEM SOLVED.

Yes, you do get covered as congress is the one usually paying for it.

Where in the constitution does it says we need the USPS

It has until it got sabotaged starting in the mid-2000's and now especially due to political bullcrap.

So you can be told that they cant deliver for some reason.

It’s mostly ups and fedex dealing with your packages, usps deals with all of your credit card statements, private things that needs to be sent via mail and stuff like that.

@@chillylytical9410 ummm thats a no, i get a lot of shipments via usps and ups sure post prior to this twerp ripping up the place. Never had a issue now i can't get a package with a travel toothpaste tube delivered because it somehow won't fit in the mailboxs provided for regular mail and packages. Hell i even got a notice on a package still in another state saying that i wasn't home to accept it...its in Chicago im in Arizona. ..how's that happen?

@@jameshurley224 idk things are whack rn

Same here lol I bought in at $22 a share

EVERYTHING in America is political and controversial!!!

That is how Democrats operate. They are the biggest joke in American history.

Political: relating to the government or the public affairs of a country.
Masks being mandated by the government. POLITICAL. Post office is a government entity. POLITICAL. Literally anything involving the government, involving laws and law enforcement, is POLITICAL. Any system that governs a society. POLITICAL. When your math teacher assigns homework every week. POLITICAL. He or she is the system governing the society in your math class. You can lobby him or her to reduce the amount, give waivers, or make exceptions. You have officially entered into POLITICS.

So Corporations can dismantle the system and create their own = profit

Where did you find the rate?

@@bftjoe news? Don't exactly remember where.

@@bftjoe by the way, the Amazon only pays its flex independent contractor delivery guys $1.25 each parcel, depends on the cities though.

@@TheLittleRadicalThinker What does that have to do with your earlier unsourced claim? Just throwing more BS out there?

@@TheLittleRadicalThinker BTW, from what I have read, Amazon flex pays per delivery BLOCK not per package. So per package would depend on how many packages are in each delivery and would vary, not some BS flat figure that you pulled out of your ass.

Say it again for the dumbasses in the back.

EXACTLY! The U.S. Military has never turned a profit (or ever stopped an invasion of U.S.home soil) Why is the USPS supposed to? If you want a company to take a letter across the country - Fed Ex will charge $15-30 dollars!

Yes! We have to tell this to CNBC!

It has elements of both a business and a government agency, as explained in the video. Are you deaf?
Is your business exempted from property taxes and required to keep the same price for all areas and have a legal monopoly in certain areas?

@@bftjoe It only operates like a business because Neoliberals in Congress made it operate like a business but kept its obligation as a public service because that's what it always has been. Neoliberals want to privatize the post office and deunionize it. They say this openly and have been pushing for policies to get them closer to that goal, taking the post office out of the budget and making it fund itself, was one of the first attempts to do just that. And now the post office is being forced to either get rid of ist benefits or privatize. Neoliberals are evil.

there is, Repeal PAEA that was put in place in 2006

_ It is, but it can be a privatized company. In The Netherlands we have privatized postal service. Our national postal service PostNL has been privatized in 1994 and I can’t get all data back to 1994, but from 2011 until now it made a net profit. We have now three major national postal players and several regional or local postal services.