Log In | Register
Sen Bernie Sanders took to The Ed Show to explain why the GOP’s plan to destroy the Postal Service is all about killing 230,000 jobs in the name of privatization.
Partial Transcript from MSNBC:
SCHULTZ: All the things brought up about e-mail and the way society changes, goods and services, I understand all that. Had the Republicans not have done this pre-funding of 75 years in a 10 year window they wouldn’t have near the financial problems they have right now, correct?
SEN. SANDERS: Absolutely. Here’s the point, Ed. That fund now has $44 billion. What the Inspector General of the Post Office has told us the other day, if the Post Office does not put another nickel in the fund, it accumulates 4% interest in 21 years that fund is fully funded, stronger than any similar fund in the United States. We should use that 5.5 billion in order to stabilize the Post Office today.
Bernie Sanders Calls Out The GOP's Plan To Kill 230,000 Postal Service Jobs
- Enjoy this article? Help vote it up the 'Vine.
- Public Discussion (46)
Sen. Sanders has it nailed. This is nothing more than another Republican move that is based on ideology. There is no reason to kill the Postal Service, just like there was no economic reason to kill Medicare. Republicans support doing both because their ideology tells them that privatization is better. Make no mistake about it. This attempt to kill the Post Office begins and ends with privatization.
The problem with privatization is that it doesn’t provide a better quality of service, and it costs the taxpayers more money both in the short and long run.
Once again, Bernie Sanders tells it like it is...facts and logical reasoning.
- 18 votes
#1 - Thu Feb 9, 2012 9:52 AM ESTThe problem with the USPS is bulk mail rates, which is a taxpayer subsidy of corporate mail. Eliminate bulk rates.
- 10 votes
I like it! Add notary services, gift wrapping, etc. while eliminating a ridiculous GOP-imposed requirement to pre-fund the workers' pension for 75 years (jammed through by the 2006 Congress in a lame duck session!) and there's no problem.
Waht's the term again? Man-made crisis? The GOP wrecking crew strikes again. . .
- 12 votes
Eliminate bulk rates.
How about just eliminating bulk mail altogether. The only people that will be mad are extreme couponers.
Of course the GOP doesn't care about the post office jobs because they can't claim them as their own. If they could manuever themselves to look like they saved these jobs they would and they would keep repeating it. All they see is 230,000 people that if let go will help "their" target unemployment numbers to help them win 2012 elections.
- 7 votes
The GOP's Plan To Kill 230,000 Postal Service Jobs
I think we should kill about 289 congressional jobs.
- 7 votes
#1.4 - Shouldn't be too hard now with the accelerated rate of voter alienation taking place by rightwing extremists.
- 7 votes
The GOP want to do as much damage as they can, before they're booted out of office.
Let's hope the new congress has the foresight to reverse all the things the GOP did, as the first order of business in the next congressional session.
- 9 votes
I have absolutely no need for the postal service. I receive and pay all of my bills online. I don't send or receive letters from friends and family in the mail, we use email. If I need to ship anything, I can use FedEX or UPS. Anything I buy online is shipped FedEX or UPS.
I think that most people have the same use of the Postal Service as I do, which is pretty slim. If we can sacrifice on Defense spending, why not cut back on a service that doesn't provide the service it id 20 years ago.
- 1 vote
#2 - Thu Feb 9, 2012 10:07 AM ESTI think that the post office is a public service that millions of Americans use...here's a report....
- 19 votes
I think that most people have the same use of the Postal Service as I do
And you think wrong.
- 24 votes
redsfan- If you go to page 6 of that report and see the downward trend of the USPS you would see that it should not take much longer for it to be completely under utilized. Interesting thing is that there is less volume being delivered but more vehicles in the fleet looking at the 2001 and 2010 years to make the comparison.
Some things need to disappear, it is okay, they will be replaced by something more efficient.
trm- And that's your opinion. But since you didn't actually add anything to the discussion I will ask that the seeder of this post remove it. I doubt redsfan will actually delete it though.
fernando...if you've ever read my seeds, you would know that I don't "delete" any comments unless they are advertising....not even the most hateful, right-wing, derailing, rude comments are deleted...
There is a lot of information in that report, including the fact that billions of pieces of mail and millions of customers are still served by the post office. The revolution by Netflix members alone would keep the post office in service for a long, long time.
- 15 votes
My opinion is as valid as yours. Nearly everyone I know uses the postal service, including my employer.
A lot of people don't have computers, and a lot of people live in rural areas that FedEx and UPS don't even want to service without costing the consumer way more money than USPS costs.
I will ask that the seeder of this post remove it.
Now, that's just hilarious. Your anecdote doesn't add anything either.
- 20 votes
If we can sacrifice on Defense spending
Defense spending comes from taxpayer money. Postal service does not. The comparison is not valid.
----------
FoolsGladly
- 10 votes
why not cut back on a service that doesn't provide the service it id 20 years ago.
As NoMoreSuffering said, the USPS doesn't add to the deficit. Bernie Sanders said it well - most of the current funding problems of the PO is caused by republicans forcing them to fund 75 or 80 years of pensions into a 10 year period. Somebody tell me what other entity (public or private) is forced to do that.
We want the post office, we need the post office, and we'd better find a way to keep them.
- 10 votes
Small towns and small businesses in America need the US postal services, which I believe was and has always been the mission to begin with. They are a true American institution that has been an integral part of the nation's success and has served it's mission of linking the states and their citizenry and then it's central government through it's early stages. Politicians haven't minded taking money from it to bail out less successful programs. Get it together legislators and work on real solutions to save the institutions that built America, modernize them and keep them viable employers and services to the citizens. What in the H does defense spending have to do with this, except if you want to look at expensive military contractors, we can have that discussion anytime.
- 5 votes
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Postal_Clause
Article I, Section 8, Clause 7 of the United States Constitution, known as the Postal Clause or the Postal Power, empowers Congress "To establish Post Offices and post Roads".
Again, the righties don't care what the Constitution says.
- 11 votes
killing 230,000 jobs in the name of privatization.
Will hurt the economy, and a needed service.
@!$%# fedex.
Privatization of esential services and our fish resources for corporate profit is destructive and short sighted.
This administration is privatizing your resource, and killing the jobs of our fellow citizens.
Go Bernie.
- 12 votes
#3 - Thu Feb 9, 2012 10:56 AM ESTExactly...FedEx and UPS are available for those who want it...but for those who want a reasonable rate, the post office is an excellent alternative.
I am sick of Tea Party Republican efforts to destroy (by privatizing) public services so that businesses can monopolize the service and extort us for even greater amounts.
- 15 votes
If you look at the political contributions made by private carriers around the same time the Republicans passed the bill that requires USPS to fund their pension plan for the next 75 years, you'll see where this is probably coming from. No other business has this requirement. The USPS is mandated to fund retirement for people that aren't even born yet. It's ridiculous.
- 19 votes
monopolize the service and extort us for even greater amounts.
You should notice what the privatization issue is costing you if you eat fish.
And the effects on small businesses, and jobs. Not to mention the decrease in share pay.
Privatization is destructive.
- 11 votes
"No other business has this requirement."
All businesses should have that requirement instead of forwarding the pay out years down the line. It would ensure the money is there for the recipient and not leaving the tax payer holding the debt if it isn't. Pay as you go.
All businesses should have that requirement instead of forwarding the pay out years down the line.
And most of them would go out of business.
- 8 votes
And most of them would go out of business.
Truth be told, they would ALL go out of business. No company could afford to take the hit that congress required the PO to take. They would file for bankruptcy and end up dumping the pension obligations onto the taxpayer as some of the airlines and steel companies did, and a few other large corporations as well.
That is the true cost of the demented pension requirement that the PO faces. The r/tp plan is to force the PO into privatizing or go out of business. Either way the public loses again, both through higher eventual mail costs and also for the dumping of the pension onto the taxpayers. Don't think that the congress crooks aren't looking at that huge pile of current pension funds at the PO as being ripe for the picking. Like always, follow the money.
- 2 votes
Related supporting link
This Congress is the problem!!!!
Forcing the post office to use 5.5 billion the way they have to make an ideological point is what is hampering the post office
- 17 votes
#4 - Thu Feb 9, 2012 10:57 AM ESTBenjamin Franklin is rolling over in his grave about this.
Especially since a somewhat similar "for-profit" conflict of interest happened before in April 4, 1728
- 5 votes
This country could in NO POSSIBLE WAY function without the U.S. Postal Service.
- 9 votes
#5 - Thu Feb 9, 2012 11:41 AM ESTThere is no reason to kill the Postal Service,
Once again, Bernie Sanders tells it like it is...facts and logical reasoning.
-- The U.S. Postal Service said Thursday that its quarterly loss widened to $3.3 billion amid declining mail volume and mounting costs for future retiree health benefits as it struggles to stave off bankruptcy.
From October through December 2011, losses were $3 billion more than the same period a year ago, even though that quarter is typically the strongest due to increased holiday shipping. The mail agency said that at this rate, it will run out of money by October
Only in the mind of the left....WOW
Your kidding right ???
- 1 vote
#6 - Thu Feb 9, 2012 11:43 AM ESTIt's a public service IV. Why don't you get that?
How much money do you think the Armed Forces cost taxpayers every year?
YOU are kidding right?
- 9 votes
What is it about the left that some cannot get finances under control. Bidens school of business...we must spend money to keep from going bankrupt......
"We have to make sure we are taking actions that are swift to maintain our liquidity and pay our bills," said chief financial officer Joe Corbett, warning that large losses will continue without changes.
Ya Think!...no lets keep dumping money down a rat hole...
- 1 vote
The post office isn't supported by tax payer money. Maybe if Congress would repeal the ignorant repub bill, the post office could get on a better footing.
http://crooksandliars.com/kenneth-quinnell/more-details-emerge-republican-as
- 9 votes
Oh it's supported by taxpayer money, just not by tax dollars. Money out of your pocket, either way.
- 1 vote
Oh it's supported by taxpayer money, just not by tax dollars
Only if you use it, just like any other business.
- 4 votes
Well, EVERYBODY uses it either to send or recieve.
According to Fernando (Post 2) he doesn't, and neither do most people.
USPS is not supported by tax dollars.
----------
FoolsGladly
Oh, well that changes everything...I didn't realize it was FERNANDO!
- 4 votes
Section 8 - Powers of Congress
To establish Post Offices and Post Roads;
USPS delivers 40% of all global mail...FedEx DHL and UPS would not be able to have anywhere near the delivery capacity, as it uses the post office to deliver parcel to remote areas, and the USPS delivers in one day than all these carriers deliver in a year combined...
- 9 votes
#7 - Thu Feb 9, 2012 11:57 AM ESTRepublicans do not talk about competition when they talk about privatization. Their intent is to create a monopoly belonging to a crony, and then funnel public money into private pockets.
There's nothing stopping FedEx or UPS from competing with the US Postal Service. However, leaders in both FedEx and UPS have said they don't want that business - daily delivery to every address in the nation, and abroad. Still, there would be nothing stopping those companies, or another, from competition.
Likewise, there's nothing stopping an insurance company from competing with Social Security, or from competing with Medicare. The fact is that both those programs run more effectively and efficiently than any for-profit firm possibly can, simply because $Million salaries and 15% profits do not need to be dialed in to the costs.
No competition for these hostage-market Republicans. They want monopolies, and they want them funded with taxpayer money. The want, if effect, our own government to act as a collection agent for private businesses; they want no-risk, high-profit monopolies with captive markets. And they're happy to sell our democracy down the drain to get it.
Up with democracy; down with fascism.
(Yes, that sort of government/corporate partnership the Republicans want so badly is the classic definition of fascism. Economic oppression today; political and personal oppression tomorrow.)
- 7 votes
#8 - Thu Feb 9, 2012 12:53 PM ESTNational Parks, next on the list. Listen, to Romney, awe remember the days when they traveled to the parks when he was a lad, I loved the land, oh what a beautiful land, the ownership of publically held lands is in direct violation of today's Republican, capitalist nation. Typically, Repubs and Dems of the past have cared about the environment and the important moral value to something Americans hold in common and vow to care for in common. Not this bunch, they have a big corporate land grab in mind, they will use any crisis to justify this, and I'm sure in the Romney's childhood travels, they were seeing nothing but $$$ for the Mormon church, and son someday this may be all yours, literally.
- 3 votes
Not this bunch, they have a big corporate land grab in mind
Exactly! I recently wrote an article about the history of Republicans opposing land conservation efforts because they believe Big Business profits trump conservation.
- 5 votes
redsfan, they will create any crisis to takeover public lands, and it will be done in "quiet rooms" before citizens knew it even took place. This will be sold as the Republican jobs plan, as always, but just another way for more assets, including natural resources, water, and food to be consolidated in monopolies, creating complete control through a corporate, theologian style dictatorship. People will have no real choices. This is being sold as a free-market, but it is the exact opposite in reality. It is continuously and purposely putting more power into fewer hands.
- 4 votes
I think there is one thing everyone forgets is that using our Postal Service is still the best way to deal with certain types of business since it is a federal offense to tamper with U.S Mail.
However how many people have been hacked or have used hacked websites putting their information at risk? While there may be some laws that protect you, it usually falls on your shoulders suing or seeking compensation while you deal with the hassles of straightening it out.
If anyone tampers with your mail it falls under completely different laws.
Considering that a letter can travel from New York to LA for less than 50 cents it is still the best bargain around.
While hackers or other may get into your e:mails or phones, if you mail a letter it is far more likely to be secure.
The GOP push for suppressing jobs goes on.
- 4 votes
#9 - Thu Feb 9, 2012 2:51 PM ESTThe problem with the post office is that it has already gone through several massive rounds of layoffs of the 'union' staff, the workers, but the management side hasn't been culled to go with it.
With the decline in postal usage due to electronic communications methods, the loss of jobs is probably going to be inevitable, the question is, how do we make that transition in a fair and orderly manner.
As for bulk mail, the reason why it costs less to the customer is because the USPS doesn't do as much. There is no sorting, there is not categorizing, it literally is just handled in bulk rather than as individual pieces. Whether that price is below cost though is a different matter and someone would have to look at the books and come up with a mutually agreed upon method of cost accounting to make that determination.
- 2 votes
#10 - Sat Feb 11, 2012 1:06 AM ESTthe management side hasn't been culled to go with it.
The board of governors is a huge huge concern.
Many of the board have direct or indirect ties to ALEC, the Koch brothers American Enterprise Institute, et. Read more at Who's Who in the Great Postal Service Debate. Look up the board members at sourcewatch or other sites and see they have ties to the private sector. They have a scorched earth mindset, destroy USPS to allow UPS, FedEx or other for-profit entities to profit from the demise of USPS. They would destroy the postal service that has been around longer than the U.S. constitution to make short term profits without regard to the long term implications.
- 2 votes
Well that ISN'T what I was referring to. I was referring to middle management where 20 years ago, they may have had 25 people per manager, and now after layoffs and attrition, they have 10. They need to cull management.
but hey, if you want to keep on the political crap for a very serious structural issue at the USPS, don't let me stop you.
- 1 vote
You're in Easy Mode. If you prefer, you can use XHTML Mode instead. |
