Don’t raze the USPS — raise the rates

I don't understand why the U.S. Postal Service is closing down post offices and mail processing centers, costing 100,000 jobs in the process. Why aren't rates being raised? If junk mail rates went up, perhaps decreasing the amount I get each day, I would be willing to pay more for first class mail. A nickel increase for a first class stamp for a letter sounds better than closings and losing Saturday service. Why isn't this being talked about and considered?

Americans seldom pay the true cost of goods and services. For example, the price of natural gas would be much higher if it included the cost of cleaning up the environmental damage caused by fracking. For too long we have borrowed money to cover services. Perhaps this post office situation provides an opportunity to begin to pay our way.

— Fran L. Burton
Asheville

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