[Semiapies]

The USPS has built an operation centered around delivering direct marketing (snail mail spam) as its primary function, with other deliveries from bills to packages as a very secondary one. Trying to transition from that to delivering this many packages without increasing its workforce...well, it's an amazing example of the pointy-headed boss approach that's the bane of both the private and public sector. "We've finally gotten revenues ahead of expenses! ...What do mean, there's too much work to do?"

[metildaa]

USPS has a mandate to deliver mail to the masses as a universal sevice, and direct mail is one way to try to subsidize that mandate. When letter volume was higher, the letter delivery business could be viable on its own.

USPS is in a legislative straitjacket when it comes to offering new and competitive services to consumers and small businesses, nevermind the crazy amounts they're bbeing required to contribute to their pension plan: http://postalemployeenetwork.com/news/2012/03/postal-account...

[Semiapies]

If the USPS is doing well, it's hyped up as a miracle. If it's having problems, its problems are hyped up as insurmountable.