Ah the post office and STUUUUPIIIID people

so we went to the USPS to send some kid's books, and the line was a little long. Also they were training a new postal clerk.

lady besides me is grousing all the time over the fact they should have MORE people taking care of customers, how long they are going to take... and all that.

So she finally says, "no wonder the USPS is going down hill!"

So I kindly pointed out that it is going down because of things like the 2006 Act that forced the USPS to designate billions to future retirees (the same deal as GM in some ways) as well as a few other tricks from the Republicans, who's wet dream is to privatize the service.

So she smugly asks me, are you a postal worker and that is why you are DEFENDING them?

No, I read. (I wasn't going to tell her that hubby is a postal worker... and I do read. I am up to my neck on labor issues right now)

Apparently actually like readying and stuff is being smug and shit... she really got PISSED.

She started going on bad service and UPS... so I pointed to her that UPS has a contract with the USPS for last mile delivery... my poor mail man has that issue here every so often... she got even more pissed.

But apparently readying is a problem.

Well maybe we should get rid of the USPS... I pointed out to her that the USPS is guaranteed in the Constitution and it would require an amendment.

Postal Clerk called us, we took care of bidness... he had a smile from ear to ear, but could not say a damn thing.

But readying apparently is being smug and shit...

And yes she is entitled to her opinion, as she proudly declared, even if that opinion is void of like facts and shit.

If she happens to be a Right Winger, I did ruin her day though.

and the service is not cheap.
These people want everyone to service their every whim for no cost to them.

I know

My father retired from the USPS. That "lady" sounds like a crazed teabagger whining about government--how predictable.

(and has an accent)

I think it'd be more than 40-some cents. USPS is a bargain.

UPS would charge four times as much... and not go into the outparts of AK

The Constitution *empowers* Congress to establish post offices. It does not require them to. No amendment would need to be added or changed if they chose not to do so.

Not at all suggesting that's a good idea, clearly it's not.

mostly I really do not want to go search it.

The United States Postal Service (USPS) is an independent agency of the United States government responsible for providing postal service in the United States. It is one of the few government agencies explicitly authorized by the United States Constitution. Within the United States, it is commonly referred to as the "Post Office", "Postal Service", or "U.S. Mail"

The United States Post Office (U.S.P.O.) was created in Philadelphia under Benjamin Franklin on July 26, 1775 by decree of the Second Continental Congress. Based on the Postal Clause in Article One of the United States Constitution, empowering Congress "To establish post offices and post roads," it became the Post Office Department (U.S.P.O.D.) in 1792. It was part of the Presidential cabinet and the Postmaster General was the last person in the United States presidential line of succession. In 1971, the department was reorganized as a quasi-independent corporation of the federal government and acquired its present name. The Postmaster General is no longer in the presidential line of succession.<6>

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Postal_Service

So other people can see what you and I are talking about. And both of us know that most people today DO NOT know this.

there are usually long lines. BUT! But the delay is 99% of the time caused by dumbasses that either:



are certain that the clerks realllllly are fascinated by the family history of the genuine & oh so valuable mounted deer head wrapped in a paper bag & no-I-don't-want-insurance (necessitating a worker to lead them, holding their hand)

don't think full addresses are necessary (necessitating a worker to lead them, holding their hand)

try to mail their shit in a shoe box & a rubber band (necessitating a worker to lead them, holding their hand)

actually think prices are negotiable if they argue long enough (necessitating a worker to lead them, holding their hand)

eBay sellers bringing packages by the (literally - bless their hearts!) little red wagon load (our office will usually bust open another window to keep the flow going!)

etc, etc, etc

In other words - the customers that absolutely require hand-holding & gentle guidance delivered without a firm smack to the side of the head with a rolled up catalog (how DO they hold back I wanna know!) are the reasons for the friggin' lines & delays! The employees get 'em in & out faster & w/less mayhem than I would be capable of!

I try to walk in with the mindset that it's like a cattle drive blocking the road (yeah, I've lived in some pretty remote areas that had that happen quite frequently!). Prepare to wait. A cow is gonna just get pissed & mebbee - just mebbee - fuck your car up if you honk. Read, get out & chat up the neighbors, clean the windshields, or check out cowboy butt ... eventually it'll be your turn.


People like her are the ones that honk & then wonder why the cow took out the side mirror or peed on the bumper. (btw - I put your 'discussion' w/her in the category of entertaining yourself by messing w/the flatlanders that inevitably start screaming @ the cows in the road ... good on ya'!)



(I'm so tickled that the speel-chucker knows how to spell frigging! LOL!)

.

...ah, the wonders of online postage. Whether it's letters or packages, it's easy to do -- only catch is if you want to send packages by parcel post (the slowest and cheapest) you have to go in person. But I usually do Priority Mail, and it is very cost effective. So I pack it up, pay online and print the label, and then trundle it to the post office where I drop it in the box. No muss, no fuss. You do get some looks from the people standing in line though.

What was funny about the whole discussion was... this place usually has long lines....

I told her that usually not in my experience

"Did you know that UPS is unionized? That's probably why you like their service so much."

I find that there is a very frustrating pattern with right wingers. They love to open up a controversial topic and state their fact-free views. But if you respond indicating that you disagree with their opinions, and then provide evidence that some of their facts are wrong, they get emotional, and then tell you YOU should not bring up politics, etc.

I wish I could tell them that that's when I know I've won the argument, but exploding freepers are so messy.

(I know it is about 23 of them) was forced to create legacy costs.

I am not sure the union part registered in her mind. The I read part, definitely did.

is because the work is labor intensive and the USPS is trying to run at a profit. My question is that if we add up the lost productivity of standing in lines and compare it to the cost of subsidy what would be the outcome?

yes, but this lady would not accept that

Step 2) Complain that there aren't enough employees at the post office

Step 3) ???

Step 4) Profit

:shrug: Huh?

of planting your foot firmly in the right wingers ass!