[AndyKelley]

Why are we trying to save USPS? It offers worse service than any of the private companies, and according to this article, it currently has a net loss of 7 billion dollars. How about we delete it, then git commit -a -m "deleted unused stuff, should improve efficiency"

[smackfu]

Because they deliver a letter for 44 cents anywhere in the country, in a few days.

Do any of the private companies get within a factor of 10 of that price?

[thematt]

That should tell you something: it's not profitable.

[yrral]

The USPS is obligated to deliver to any address in America for the same fee. If we had private carriers serve first class mail, it could cost pennies to deliver a letter to New York but hundreds of dollars to deliver to someone living in the middle of nowhere.