SNAIL MAIL
AVITW
I SEE WHERE THE “HYBRIDIZED” POST OFFICE LOST “ONLY 5 BILLION IN 2013 AS OPPOSED TO 16 BILLION IN 2012. WHO AMONG US REMEMBERS WHEN (OR WHY) THIS ONE TIME VENERABLE AND VITAL GOVERNMENT SERVICE WAS “COMPROMISED”, BUT, IT PROBABLY BEGAN ABOUT THE SAME TIME OUR OTHER GOVERNMENT “SERVICES” WERE “COMPROMISED” IN THE NAME OF “AFFIRMATIVE ACTION”.
THE POST OFFICE HAS LONG HELD THE “DUBIOUS HONOR” OF BEING THE PRIMARY PLACE WHERE “POLITICIANS” CAN “PAY BACK” FINANCIAL FAVORS FROM THEIR CONTRIBUTORS; CLAIM HOW WELL THEY “BRING HOME THE BACON” BY BUILDING A NEW POST OFFICE, WHICH, BY THE WAY, JUST HAPPENS TO NEED A “NEW POSTMASTER” HAND PICKED FROM THE FAMILY, FRIENDS AND/OR POLITICALLY CRONIES OF SAID POLITICIAN.
THE ADVENT OF “COMPETITORS” IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR THAT CAN DELIVER “NEEDED” LETTERS AND PACKAGES WITH GREATER EFFICIENCY, ALBEIT AT A “PREMIUM PRICE”, ONLY MAGNIFIED THE TIDAL WAVE OF GOVERNMENT AGENCIES BECOMING OBSOLETE AND INCREASED THE URGENCY FOR CONGRESS TO “PROTECT” THEIR “QUID PRO QUO” EXCHANGE OF GOVERNMENT DOLLARS FOR POLITICAL CONTRIBUTIONS AND/OR THE LEGACY OF HAVING THEIR NAME “HUNG” IN SOME PROMINENT PLACE FOR POSTERITY TO IGNORE.
ONE SHOULD NEVER UNDERESTIMATE THE ABILITY OF POLITICIANS AND THEIR ALLIES TO “MORPH” INTO WHATEVER FORM WILL EXTEND THEIR JOB SECURITY AND EXPAND THEIR POWER AND CONTROL OVER THOSE WHOM THEY TAX FOR SUCH PURPOSES. SHOULD OUR SOCIETY DESIRE TO REIN IN BILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN "UNNECESSARY EXPENSES", THE PRESENT GOVERNMENT IS RIFE WITH AGENCIES, CREATED TO DEAL WITH CIRCUMSTANCES EXISTING A HALF, OR A FULL, CENTURY AGO THAT WOULD "NEVER BE MISSED", EXCEPT BY THOSE WHO GUARD THEIR EMPLOYMENT IN "USELESS ACTIVITIES".
FOLLOWING THE RAPID EXPANSION OF GOVERNMENT DURING THE "SIXTIES", THE GOVERNMENT FOUND THEMSELVES IN THE “UNFORTUNATE SITUATION” OF BEING “CAUGHT” BETWEEN THE CITIZENS UNREST AT THE GROWTH OF “BIG GOVERNMENT” AND THEIR DESIRE TO CONTINUE EXPANDING THE "GRAVY TRAIN" (AND CONTROL OF CITIZEN'S LIVES). “THEY” (THE POLITICIANS) CAME UP WITH THE NOT SO SUBTLE IDEA OF “LIMITING THE GROWTH OF GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES” BY "CONTRACTING OUT" GOVERNMENT WORK TO THEIR "CONTRIBUTORS" IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR. BY USING THIS STRATEGY, THEY COULD APPEASE THE “UNWASHED MASSES” (PRODUCED BY THE “DUMBED DOWN EDUCATION SYSTEM”), BY CLAIMING THAT THE PROPORTION OF GOVERNMENT WORKERS, IN RELATION TO THE GROWTH OF THE GENERAL POPULATION WAS REALLY “QUITE SMALL” AND SHRINKING.
WHAT THEY “DID NOT EXPLAIN” WAS HOW THEIR SWITCH TO “CONTRACTING OUT” THEIR “EVER EXPANDING SPHERE OF ACTIVITIES AND CONTROL” ALSO MEANT THAT THEY WERE NOT FORCED TO DEAL WITH THE BURGEONING PROBLEM OF “UNFUNDED” RETIREMENT AND HEALTH CARE BENEFITS AND THE “PROBLEM” OF MANAGING AN “INCREASINGLY INCOMPETENT” BODY OF WORKERS “WITH RIGHTS” TO BE PROTECTED FROM THE “NATURAL CONSEQUENCES” OF THEIR INCOMPETENCE, BUT, I DIGRESS.
HAVING MOVED THE “POSTAL SERVICE” FROM THE “OFFICIAL LIST” OF GOVERNMENT AGENCIES WITH MILLIONS OF INCOMPETENT AND/OR INDOLENT INDIVIDUALS, WHILE “MAINTAINING” THEIR CONTROL OVER THE BLOATED BUREAUCRACY AND THE CONTINUED EMPLOYMENT OF THEIR FRIENDS AND RELATIVES, THEY (THE POLITICIANS) WERE “FREE” TO PUBLICLY BERATE THE “POOR MANAGEMENT” AND FINANCIAL LOSSES.
OF COURSE, COMPLIANT MANAGEMENT “CONTINUED QUIETLY” TO PROTECT THEIR OWN POSITIONS AND “FIND” EVER INCREASING “NEEDS” FOR ADDITIONAL BUILDINGS, MODERN EQUIPMENT (TO COMPLETE WITH THE PRIVATE SECTOR) AND, OF COURSE, “CREATE PLACES” TO “HIDE” THE MANY EMPLOYEES FOISTED ON THEM BY THE POLITICIANS. ONE CAN NEVER BE CERTAIN, BUT, IT APPEARS THAT, SINCE THE USPS IS NOT “NOW” AN OFFICIAL GOVERNMENT AGENCY, THOSE “WHO GIVE A DAMN”, ARE NOT NOW ENTITLED TO REVIEW THE “PRACTICES, PROCEDURES” (AND FINANCES) INVOLVED IN THE OPERATIONS OF WHAT HAS BECOME A SOURCE OF “NATIONAL IRRITATION” TO THOSE FORCED TO USE THEIR LOUSY SERVICES AT FULL PRICE AND A “NATIONAL JOKE” TO THOSE WHO PAY ATTENTION TO SUCH CHICANERY. WILL ROGERS WOULD BE “PROUD”!
THE “FINAL” CHANGE IN OUR SOCIETY, OBVIATING THE NEED FOR SUCH A “MONSTROUS ENTERPRISE”, CAME WITH INTERNET TECHNOLOGY THAT “INSTANTANEOUSLY” DELIVERS VITAL MESSAGES AND FACILITATES BUSINESS TRANSACTIONS INCLUDING THE BUYING AND SELLING OF “JUST ABOUT EVERYTHING ONE COULD POSSIBLY WANT” TOGETHER WITH WAYS TO “PAY” FOR SAID GOODS AND SERVICES. WHAT AUTOMOBILES DID TO THE “BUGGY WHIP BUSINESS”, THE INTERNET DID TO THE “FIRST CLASS BUSINESS" OF THE NATIONAL POSTAL SERVICE, E.G. THE FACILITATING OF BOTH BUSINESS AND PERSONAL COMMUNICATIONS AND SERVICES.
LEST WE “FORGET” THE MORPHING CAPABILITIES OF OUR NATIONAL GOVERNMENT, WHAT “REMAINS” IS A HUGE ENTERPRISE OPERATING PRIMARILY FOR THE BENEFIT OF BUSINESSES AND ORGANIZATIONS WHO “INUNDATE” OUR DEFENSELESS HOMES AND OFFICES, AT GOVERNMENT SUBSIDIZED (BELOW COST?) RATES WITH WHAT IS “GENERALLY CALLED JUNK MAIL, BUT, WHICH, IN REALITY, CONSTITUTES AN INTRUSION INTO OUR PERSONAL LIVES BY COUNTLESS ORGANIZATIONS AND BUSINESSES WHO SEEK TO “MAXIMIZE” THEIR INCOME IN EXCHANGE FOR A “FEW PALTRY DOLLARS” DONATED TO KEY “POLITICIANS” IN EXCHANGE FOR “SAID SERVICES”.
WHEN ONE THINKS OF THE “FORESTS” DECIMATED IN ORDER TO PRODUCE THIS “UNWANTED DELUGE OF PAPER WHICH THEN MUST BE DEALT WITH AND DISPOSED OF (MORE TIME AND MONEY WASTED), THE ENVIRONMENTAL DESTRUCTION ALONE “SHOULD” JUSTIFY ABOLISHING THE ENTIRE ESTABLISHMENT. THE “SAVINGS” FROM SUCH “NON-ESSENTIAL SERVICES” (AS I BELIEVE, THE RECENT SEQUESTER OF FUNDS NOW CALLS THE TENS OF THOUSANDS OF GOVERNMENT POSITIONS HELD IN ABEYANCE, TO SAY NOTHING OF THE MILLIONS OF “CONTRACT GOVERNMENT JOBS” THAT WERE DISCONTINUED ON A TEMPORARY BASIS) ARE BASICALLY “INCALCULABLE” TO THE “AVERAGE” CITIZEN.
ONE POSTULATES THAT REDUCING (AND/OR CLOSING?) THESE "OBSOLETE AGENCIES", STARTING WITH THE USPS, WOULD GO FAR TOWARD PAYING A “SIGNIFICANT PORTION OF THE CHINESE “STRANGLE HOLD” (THE MORTGAGE ON OUR CHILDREN’S FUTURE) THAT POLITICIANS WILLINGLY FOISTED ON THEM IN ORDER TO CONTINUE “BUSINESS AS USUAL”, E.G. THE EXCHANGE OF “CONTRIBUTIONS” (THE ELDERLY AMONG US REMEMBER WHEN THEY USED TO BE CALLED BRIBES) FOR “FAVORS”, WHEN THEY (THE POLITICIANS AND BUREAUCRATS) ARE “IN OFFICE” AND, FOR “LUCRATIVE POSITIONS” WHEN THEY LEAVE, BUT THAT IS ANOTHER TOPIC.
WHILE “MANY” RIGHTFULLY CRITICIZE THE “NATIONAL JOKE”, WHICH WAS ONCE A VITAL PART OF OUR SOCIETY, ONE SHOULD ACKNOWLEDGE THAT IT ONCE CONTRIBUTED GREATLY TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF THIS COUNTRY. HOWEVER, FEW INSIDERS WISH TO OFFER ANY “ALTERNATIVES”, SINCE THIS WOULD “DISRUPT THE GRAVY TRAIN” THAT BENEFITS “BOTH THE POLITICIANS AND THE “GROUPS” WHO “CONTROL THEM” USING A "FEW WELL PLACED CONTRIBUTIONS".
NOT BEING “VITALLY CONCERNED” WITH SUCH OUTCOMES, DOES GIVE “T.O.M.” THE OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE “SOME SUGGESTIONS”, THAT, WITHIN A YEAR WOULD “RESOLVE” THE “REAL PROBLEMS” ASSOCIATED WITH THE USPS . HOWEVER, BEFORE “OFFERING SUCH INSIGHTS, IT SEEMED “REASONABLE” TO DO SOME “RESEARCH” INTO THE SPECIFIC NATURE OF THE PROBLEM. WHILE THOSE RESPONSIBLE FOR CREATING THE PROBLEMS COULD EASILY TAKE TEN YEARS AND EXPEND MILLIONS OF DOLLARS FOR SUCH INFORMATION, ONE DOUBTS THAT MORE THAN A “MONTH” IS NECESSARY AND "THE RESULTS" ARE HEREBY OFFERED TO THE GOVERNMENT AT “NO COST”.
A "RANDOM SAMPLE" OF INCOMING MAIL REVEALED THAT 66% COULD BE CLASSIFIED AS "JUNK MAIL", E.G. ITEMS THAT SERVE "NO PURPOSE" EXCEPT TO BENEFIT THE BUSINESSES SENDING THEM AT "BELOW COST" RATES. ANOTHER 33%, INCLUDED SOME "USEFUL" ITEMS, COULD BE CLASSIFIED AS "NOT TIME SENSITIVE". IN OTHER WORDS, IT REALLY DOESN'T MATTER WHEN THE ITEMS ARRIVE. WITH 99 % OF "MAIL" FALLING INTO ONE OF THESE TWO CATEGORIES, THERE IS "OBVIOUSLY NO NEED" TO HAVE DAILY MAIL DELIVERY.
FINALLY, THERE IS THE "TRUE" FIRST CLASS MAIL, WHERE "SENDERS" PAY FAR MORE THAN THE COST OF SENDING "SOMETHING OF VALUE". THIS ALLOWS THE POST OFFICE (LIKE HOSPITALS) TO ENGAGE IN "COST SHIFTING", E.G. TAKING EXORBITANT AMOUNTS OF MONEY FROM INDIVIDUALS WHO BUY FIRST CLASS STAMPS AND USING IT TO "BENEFIT" THE "99%" WHO DO NOT PAY THEIR FAIR SHARE" FOR THE TRANSPORT OF "JUNK MAIL" AND/OR "ITEMS THAT HAVE NO TIME PRIORITY".
WITH THE PERCENTAGE OF 1% BEING UTILIZED TO SUBSIDIZE 99%, IT'S "EASY" TO UNDERSTAND HOW THIS "ANACHRONISM OF GOVERNMENT" COULD EASILY REQUIRE "ADDITIONAL SUBSIDIZATION" AMOUNTING TO BILLIONS OF DOLLARS.
WHILE COLLECTING THE "OBJECTIVE", BUT NOT UNEXPECTED, DATA, THE AUTHOR WAS WORKING DILIGENTLY TO PROVIDE THE MITIGATING SUGGESTIONS THAT ARE “OBVIOUS” EVEN WITHOUT SUCH “RESEARCH INFORMATION”. IN "ANY" REDUCTION OR CESSATION OF NEEDLESS EXPENDITURES AND SERVICES, THERE WILL ALWAYS BE A "FEW" INDIVIDUALS WHO WILL BE "NEGATIVELY IMPACTED. STILL, THESE INDIVIDUALS HAVE "PROFITED FAR TOO LONG" BY ENGAGING IN SUCH "USELESS ACTIVITIES" AND T.O.M. SUGGESTS THAT THE "TIME" FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO "CORRECT ITS PROFLIGATE EXPENDITURES IS LONG OVERDUE.
MOST CITIZENS HAVE BEEN SUBJECTED TO "FAR MORE GOVERNMENT REGULATION AND TAXATION" THAN THEY CAN AFFORD AND, MOST INTELLIGENT PEOPLE DO NOT WANT SUCH ARCANE AGENCIES TO CONTINUE WASTING MONEY THAT MUST NOW BE BORROWED BECAUSE "THE GOVERNMENT" IS ACTUALLY "INSOLVENT". THE INDIVIDUALS INVOLVED
(AFFECTED) HAVE “BECOME THE PROBLEM”, NOT THE SOLUTION AND IT IS "SUGGESTED" THAT FORCING SUCH INDIVIDUALS INTO “PRODUCTIVE WORK”, RATHER THAN “POLITICAL PATRONAGE POSITIONS” WOULD BE GOOD FOR ALL CONCERNED.
IF “COMMUNICATIONS” ARE VITAL TO THE OPERATION OF SOCIETY, AND I THINK THAT IS OBVIOUS, THEN THE NEW “AGENCY OF COMMUNICATION” (NOT ANOTHER GOVERNMENT BOONDOGGLE) SHOULD IMMEDIATELY BEGIN DELIVERY OF EXISTING MAIL ON A THREE, "ALTERNATING DAY" BASIS, E.G. MONDAY, WEDNESDAY AND FRIDAY, THOSE LIVING IN ZIP CODES ENDING IN “ODD NUMBERS” WILL RECEIVE THEIR MAIL, WHILE THOSE LIVING IN ZIP CODES ENDING IN EVEN NUMBERS WILL RECEIVE THEIR MAIL ON TUESDAY, THURSDAY AND SATURDAY. “IMMEDIATELY”, THE NUMBER OF CONTRACT WORKERS WILL FIND THEIR “HOURS” REDUCED FROM A "THEORETICAL 40 TO 24, WHICH HAS THE ADDITIONAL BENEFIT OF RELIEVING THE “CONTRACTORS” OF THE OBLIGATION TO PROVIDE BOTH RETIREMENT AND HEALTH CARE BENEFITS REQUIRED FOR “FULL TIME POSITIONS”. AS “ATTRITION” BEGINS TO SET IN, PERHAPS, SOME OF THE “GOOD WORKERS” WILL WANT TO WORK SIX DAYS WHILE OTHERS "OPT" FOR "PART TIME WORK" AS OPPOSED TO "NO WORK". EITHER WAY, THE SAVINGS AND QUALITY OF SERVICE WILL IMPROVE.
SINCE MANY IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR” ALREADY WORK SIX DAYS A WEEK IN ORDER TO SURVIVE, IT SEEMS UNLIKELY THAT “EMPLOYED PEOPLE” ARE GOING TO COMPLAIN IF THEY HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO SO WITHIN THE RECONSTITUTED "COMMUNICATION INDUSTRY". SINCE THERE ARE NO “REASONABLE” OBJECTIONS POSSIBLE, WHEN THE ALTERNATIVE IS “NO WORK”, ONE SUPPOSES THAT THERE WILL BE A “LONG LINE” OF PEOPLE MORE THAN “WILLING” TO OBTAIN SUCH “LUCRATIVE POSITIONS”.
OF COURSE THERE WILL BE “OPPONENTS”, FROM BOTH SIDES, ARGUING AGAINST SUCH A “CHANGE” AND, IF THEY PREVAIL, THE LOUSY SERVICE WILL CONTINUE AND THE DEFICIT WILL “INCREASE”. THAT IS "THE NATURE" OF "ENTRENCHED GOVERNMENT AND THEIR CONTRIBUTORS. IT IS “DEFINITELY” AN “UPHILL BATTLE”, BUT, ONE WORTH “BILLIONS” OF DOLLARS OVER TIME.
NATURALLY, IT WILL TAKE THE REFORMATION AND/OR ABOLITION OF MANY AGENCIES TO SAVE THE “TRILLIONS” NECESSARY TO “RIGHT THE SHIP OF STATE”. THAT WILL BE A "HAPPY DAY" INDEED. FORTUNATELY, THERE ARE "MANY AGENCIES" MORE THAN READY FOR SUCH ELIMINATION, BUT THAT IS ANOTHER TOPIC.
SECONDLY, THE PRICE PAID FOR SERVICE SHALL BE REQUIRED TO BE A “UNIFORM ONE”, PERHAPS, BY WEIGHT, IF NOT BY PIECE. AS THE AIRLINES HAVE FINALLY REALIZED, THEY ARE IN THE TRANSPORT BUSINESS, BASED ON WEIGHT, NOT ONE INDIVIDUAL, WHO MAY WEIGH THREE TIMES AS MUCH AS THE PERSON SITTING NEXT TO THEM. SIMPLE JUSTICE (FAIRNESS?) REQUIRES SUCH “PRICING”. THEREFORE, NO BUSINESS OR ORGANIZATION, NOR THE GOVERNMENT ITSELF, SHALL BE EXEMPTED FROM PAYING WHAT A “PRIVATE CITIZEN” PAYS FOR THE SAME SERVICE. AFTER ALL, THIS IS “NOW” A “NON-GOVERNMENT AGENCY” (OFFICIALLY, IF NOT IN FACT) IS IT NOT? THEREFORE, THEY SHOULD BE AS “ENTITLED” TO SET A FAIR PRICE FOR THEIR SERVICES AS ANY BUSINESS IN OUR “CAPITALISTIC” SOCIETY.
IN THE PROCESS OF “COST CUTTING” ONE SHOULD NOT OVERLOOK THE DISPOSAL OF EXCESS PROPERTIES NOR THE “EFFICIENT” USE OF CAPITAL AND PERSONNEL. IT “MAY BE” THAT THE IDEA OF “RURAL DELIVERY” NEEDS TO BE LOOKED AT ALSO. PERHAPS THESE “FORTUNATE PEOPLE” WHO CAN AFFORD TO LIVE FAR FROM THE “PROBLEMS” (AND/OR DUBIOUS ADVANTAGES) OF CITY LIVING, “MAY NEED TO MAKE OTHER ARRANGEMENTS” IN TERMS OF “COMMUNICATION”. EVEN “T.O.M.” CANNOT JUSTIFY “REQUIRING” A BUSINESS TO “OPERATE UNPROFITABLY” ALTHOUGH, THIS IS THE “BUSINESS MODEL” PRESENTLY ASSOCIATED WITH THE USPS. THE AIRLINES, AGAIN, LEAD THE WAY IN CLOSING UNPROFITABLE ROUTES.
PRIVATE ENTERPRISE PROBABLY STANDS “MORE THAN READY” TO FILL THE “VOID IN RURAL SERVICES”, OR, GOD FORBID, THOSE WHO CHOSE TO LIVE IN RURAL AREAS WILL HAVE TO “TAKE RESPONSIBILITY” FOR THE “CONSEQUENCES” OF THEIR DECISION.
OBVIOUSLY, THERE ARE “OTHER COST CUTTING MEASURES POSSIBLE”, LIKE PAYING A REASONABLE WAGE ($10.10 IS NOW BEING BANDIED ABOUT)TO PEOPLE WHO DO “BASICALLY MINIMUM WAGE WORK” RATHER THAN THE “KING’S RANSOM” NOW PAID TO THE “POLITICAL HACKS” WHO PRESENTLY OCCUPY THESE POSITIONS. THE NUMEROUS ITEMS, "MISDELIVERED" IS A CONTINUING TESTAMENT TO THE "INCOMPETENCE" OF PRESENT WORKERS WHO, ONE SUPPOSES, ARE "GRADUATES" OF THE "DUMBED DOWN" EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM, WHERE, EVEN THOSE WHO CANNOT READ ARE GIVEN A "DIPLOMA" SIMPLY FOR "SHOWING UP" TO SOCIALIZE WITH THEIR FRIENDS WHILE AVOIDING ANY "MEANINGFUL LEARNING", BUT, I DIGRESS.
ON THE “OTHER SIDE OF THE LEDGER” THERE EXISTS AN “UNPARALLELED” OPPORTUNITY FOR A SERVICE, BASICALLY UNHEARD OF IN THIS COUNTRY, BUT, ONE THAT IS A VITAL PART OF OTHER SOCIETIES. THIS OBVIOUSLY IS THE PROVISION OF “INTERNET” CONNECTIONS TO “EVERYONE”. WHAT HAS HAPPENED, SINCE THE ADVENT OF THE INTERNET, IS THAT THIS COUNTRY HAS “CREATED” A SYSTEM OF “FIRST” AND “SECOND” CLASS CITIZENS. THOSE WITH ACCESS TO THE INTERNET (AT AN UNGODLY PRICE, TO BE SURE) BENEFIT IN “MANY WAYS” OVER THOSE WHO DO NOT HAVE ACCESS TO THE WEALTH OF INFORMATION ON THE INTERNET, AND, IN “MODERN TIMES”, “INFORMATION IS POWER” AS WELL AS "ACCESS" TO ECONOMIC PROSPERITY.
AS ALWAYS, THERE WILL BE “WELL FUNDED” BUSINESSES AND POLITICIANS LOOKING TO LINE THEIR POCKETS” WHO WILL STAND “FIRMLY IN OPPOSITION TO ANY CHANGES THAT “THREATEN THEIR GRAVY TRAIN”. STILL, IT “SEEMS” TO T.O.M., THAT THERE HAS BEEN A BASIC CHANGE IN SOCIETY AND THAT GOVERNMENT MAY VERY WELL HAVE A “STRONG ARGUMENT” THAT IT IS NOW THE “PROPER DUTY” (FOR THE WELFARE OF THE GENERAL POPULATION) TO PROVIDE INTERNET SERVICES TO ALL AT A "FAIR PRICE", MUCH THE SAME AS GOVERNMENT "PROVIDES" UTILITY SERVICES THROUGH PUBLICLY MONITORED PRIVATE ENTERPRISES.
GIVEN THE EXPENSE (REPORTEDLY NEARING A HALF BILLION DOLLARS FOR ONE RECENT DYSFUNCTIONAL SITE) AND ITS “RECENT” LACK OF SUCCESS WITH OPERATING INTERNET SERVICES, THE “GOVERNMENT” IS IN A STRONG POSITION TO DECIDE THAT “CONTRACTING OUT” SUCH SERVICES IS PREFERABLE TO DEPENDING ON THE “POLITICAL APPOINTEES" AND “AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYEES” TO EFFICIENTLY OPERATE SUCH AN ENORMOUS UNDERTAKING. THE WORDS “GOVERNMENT EFFICIENCY” ARE SELDOM USED IN CLOSE PROXIMITY, EXCEPT AS “THE ULTIMATE OXYMORON”.
MUCH AS THE GOVERNMENT “OVERSEES” THE “PUBLIC UTILITIES”, (ELECTRICITY; WATER; TELEPHONES, ETC.) THEY WILL FIND THEIR PROPER ROLE IN SETTING STANDARDS AND REGULATING RATES, ACCORDING TO COSTS, AND NOT ACCORDING TO “HOW MUCH” THE COMPANIES PAY THEM TO “GOUGE THE GENERAL PUBLIC”.
FINALLY, SHOULD THE NEED FOR PROMPT SERVICE JUSTIFY IT, RATHER THAN FORCING ALL USERS TO STAND IN LINE BEHIND 20 OTHER USERS, (HAPLESS VICTIMS OF THE PRESENT SYSTEM), THE USPS “MIGHT” CONSIDER “FIRST CLASS SERVICE”, AS ANOTHER “REVENUE SOURCE”. THE AIRLINES ARE "FIRST" AGAIN IN SHOWING THE WAY TO "PROSPERITY". WHERE A PERSON IS WILLING TO PAY FOR SUCH SERVICE, HE OR SHE IS “USHERED” INTO A SPECIAL LINE AND HIS OR HER NEEDS ARE “IMMEDIATELY ATTENDED TO”, WHILE THE “ORDINARY CITIZENS”, PATIENTLY, OR NOT SO PATIENTLY, WASTE THEIR TIME STANDING IN LINE. INDIVIDUALS CAUGHT UP IN THE TYPICAL 1 1/2 HOUR WAIT TO MAIL A CHRISTMAS PACKAGE, WOULD "CHEERFULLY" PAY AN EXTRA DOLLAR OR TWO TO BE "FREED" FROM THIS SORT OF "CAPTIVITY".
RETURNING TO THE SUBJECT AT HAND, THERE IS LITTLE INVOLVED IN THE “PRESENT SYSTEM” TO JUSTIFY ITS CONTINUANCE, OTHER THAN THE “QUID PRO QUO” BETWEEN GOVERNMENT AND PRIVATE BUSINESSES AS “THEY” TAKE ADVANTAGE OF EACH OTHER TO THE DETRIMENT OF THE COUNTRY. OF COURSE, ONE CAN REASONABLY ARGUE THAT NEITHER THE POLITICIANS OR BUSINESS HAVE “ANY RESPONSIBILITY” FOR THE WELFARE OF THE COUNTRY, BUT, IT “MIGHT” BE AN INTERESTING IDEA TO RETURN TO. FOR NOW, THEIR “ONLY MUTUAL INTEREST” IS TO “MAINTAIN THE STATUS QUO”, WHILE THE ONCE PROUD “POST OFFICE DEPARTMENT” CONTINUES ITS DECLINE INTO “IRRELEVANCE”, EXCEPT FOR ASSUAGING THE “MUTUAL INTEREST OF GREED" WHICH HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH “PROVISION OF COMMUNICATIONS” TO THE POPULATION WHO “PAYS THE TAB”.
ENJOY, T.O.M.
localnotions.blogspot.com
I SEE WHERE THE “HYBRIDIZED” POST OFFICE LOST “ONLY 5 BILLION IN 2013 AS OPPOSED TO 16 BILLION IN 2012. WHO AMONG US REMEMBERS WHEN (OR WHY) THIS ONE TIME VENERABLE AND VITAL GOVERNMENT SERVICE WAS “COMPROMISED”, BUT, IT PROBABLY BEGAN ABOUT THE SAME TIME OUR OTHER GOVERNMENT “SERVICES” WERE “COMPROMISED” IN THE NAME OF “AFFIRMATIVE ACTION”.
THE POST OFFICE HAS LONG HELD THE “DUBIOUS HONOR” OF BEING THE PRIMARY PLACE WHERE “POLITICIANS” CAN “PAY BACK” FINANCIAL FAVORS FROM THEIR CONTRIBUTORS; CLAIM HOW WELL THEY “BRING HOME THE BACON” BY BUILDING A NEW POST OFFICE, WHICH, BY THE WAY, JUST HAPPENS TO NEED A “NEW POSTMASTER” HAND PICKED FROM THE FAMILY, FRIENDS AND/OR POLITICALLY CRONIES OF SAID POLITICIAN.
THE ADVENT OF “COMPETITORS” IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR THAT CAN DELIVER “NEEDED” LETTERS AND PACKAGES WITH GREATER EFFICIENCY, ALBEIT AT A “PREMIUM PRICE”, ONLY MAGNIFIED THE TIDAL WAVE OF GOVERNMENT AGENCIES BECOMING OBSOLETE AND INCREASED THE URGENCY FOR CONGRESS TO “PROTECT” THEIR “QUID PRO QUO” EXCHANGE OF GOVERNMENT DOLLARS FOR POLITICAL CONTRIBUTIONS AND/OR THE LEGACY OF HAVING THEIR NAME “HUNG” IN SOME PROMINENT PLACE FOR POSTERITY TO IGNORE.
ONE SHOULD NEVER UNDERESTIMATE THE ABILITY OF POLITICIANS AND THEIR ALLIES TO “MORPH” INTO WHATEVER FORM WILL EXTEND THEIR JOB SECURITY AND EXPAND THEIR POWER AND CONTROL OVER THOSE WHOM THEY TAX FOR SUCH PURPOSES. SHOULD OUR SOCIETY DESIRE TO REIN IN BILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN "UNNECESSARY EXPENSES", THE PRESENT GOVERNMENT IS RIFE WITH AGENCIES, CREATED TO DEAL WITH CIRCUMSTANCES EXISTING A HALF, OR A FULL, CENTURY AGO THAT WOULD "NEVER BE MISSED", EXCEPT BY THOSE WHO GUARD THEIR EMPLOYMENT IN "USELESS ACTIVITIES".
FOLLOWING THE RAPID EXPANSION OF GOVERNMENT DURING THE "SIXTIES", THE GOVERNMENT FOUND THEMSELVES IN THE “UNFORTUNATE SITUATION” OF BEING “CAUGHT” BETWEEN THE CITIZENS UNREST AT THE GROWTH OF “BIG GOVERNMENT” AND THEIR DESIRE TO CONTINUE EXPANDING THE "GRAVY TRAIN" (AND CONTROL OF CITIZEN'S LIVES). “THEY” (THE POLITICIANS) CAME UP WITH THE NOT SO SUBTLE IDEA OF “LIMITING THE GROWTH OF GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES” BY "CONTRACTING OUT" GOVERNMENT WORK TO THEIR "CONTRIBUTORS" IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR. BY USING THIS STRATEGY, THEY COULD APPEASE THE “UNWASHED MASSES” (PRODUCED BY THE “DUMBED DOWN EDUCATION SYSTEM”), BY CLAIMING THAT THE PROPORTION OF GOVERNMENT WORKERS, IN RELATION TO THE GROWTH OF THE GENERAL POPULATION WAS REALLY “QUITE SMALL” AND SHRINKING.
WHAT THEY “DID NOT EXPLAIN” WAS HOW THEIR SWITCH TO “CONTRACTING OUT” THEIR “EVER EXPANDING SPHERE OF ACTIVITIES AND CONTROL” ALSO MEANT THAT THEY WERE NOT FORCED TO DEAL WITH THE BURGEONING PROBLEM OF “UNFUNDED” RETIREMENT AND HEALTH CARE BENEFITS AND THE “PROBLEM” OF MANAGING AN “INCREASINGLY INCOMPETENT” BODY OF WORKERS “WITH RIGHTS” TO BE PROTECTED FROM THE “NATURAL CONSEQUENCES” OF THEIR INCOMPETENCE, BUT, I DIGRESS.
HAVING MOVED THE “POSTAL SERVICE” FROM THE “OFFICIAL LIST” OF GOVERNMENT AGENCIES WITH MILLIONS OF INCOMPETENT AND/OR INDOLENT INDIVIDUALS, WHILE “MAINTAINING” THEIR CONTROL OVER THE BLOATED BUREAUCRACY AND THE CONTINUED EMPLOYMENT OF THEIR FRIENDS AND RELATIVES, THEY (THE POLITICIANS) WERE “FREE” TO PUBLICLY BERATE THE “POOR MANAGEMENT” AND FINANCIAL LOSSES.
OF COURSE, COMPLIANT MANAGEMENT “CONTINUED QUIETLY” TO PROTECT THEIR OWN POSITIONS AND “FIND” EVER INCREASING “NEEDS” FOR ADDITIONAL BUILDINGS, MODERN EQUIPMENT (TO COMPLETE WITH THE PRIVATE SECTOR) AND, OF COURSE, “CREATE PLACES” TO “HIDE” THE MANY EMPLOYEES FOISTED ON THEM BY THE POLITICIANS. ONE CAN NEVER BE CERTAIN, BUT, IT APPEARS THAT, SINCE THE USPS IS NOT “NOW” AN OFFICIAL GOVERNMENT AGENCY, THOSE “WHO GIVE A DAMN”, ARE NOT NOW ENTITLED TO REVIEW THE “PRACTICES, PROCEDURES” (AND FINANCES) INVOLVED IN THE OPERATIONS OF WHAT HAS BECOME A SOURCE OF “NATIONAL IRRITATION” TO THOSE FORCED TO USE THEIR LOUSY SERVICES AT FULL PRICE AND A “NATIONAL JOKE” TO THOSE WHO PAY ATTENTION TO SUCH CHICANERY. WILL ROGERS WOULD BE “PROUD”!
THE “FINAL” CHANGE IN OUR SOCIETY, OBVIATING THE NEED FOR SUCH A “MONSTROUS ENTERPRISE”, CAME WITH INTERNET TECHNOLOGY THAT “INSTANTANEOUSLY” DELIVERS VITAL MESSAGES AND FACILITATES BUSINESS TRANSACTIONS INCLUDING THE BUYING AND SELLING OF “JUST ABOUT EVERYTHING ONE COULD POSSIBLY WANT” TOGETHER WITH WAYS TO “PAY” FOR SAID GOODS AND SERVICES. WHAT AUTOMOBILES DID TO THE “BUGGY WHIP BUSINESS”, THE INTERNET DID TO THE “FIRST CLASS BUSINESS" OF THE NATIONAL POSTAL SERVICE, E.G. THE FACILITATING OF BOTH BUSINESS AND PERSONAL COMMUNICATIONS AND SERVICES.
LEST WE “FORGET” THE MORPHING CAPABILITIES OF OUR NATIONAL GOVERNMENT, WHAT “REMAINS” IS A HUGE ENTERPRISE OPERATING PRIMARILY FOR THE BENEFIT OF BUSINESSES AND ORGANIZATIONS WHO “INUNDATE” OUR DEFENSELESS HOMES AND OFFICES, AT GOVERNMENT SUBSIDIZED (BELOW COST?) RATES WITH WHAT IS “GENERALLY CALLED JUNK MAIL, BUT, WHICH, IN REALITY, CONSTITUTES AN INTRUSION INTO OUR PERSONAL LIVES BY COUNTLESS ORGANIZATIONS AND BUSINESSES WHO SEEK TO “MAXIMIZE” THEIR INCOME IN EXCHANGE FOR A “FEW PALTRY DOLLARS” DONATED TO KEY “POLITICIANS” IN EXCHANGE FOR “SAID SERVICES”.
WHEN ONE THINKS OF THE “FORESTS” DECIMATED IN ORDER TO PRODUCE THIS “UNWANTED DELUGE OF PAPER WHICH THEN MUST BE DEALT WITH AND DISPOSED OF (MORE TIME AND MONEY WASTED), THE ENVIRONMENTAL DESTRUCTION ALONE “SHOULD” JUSTIFY ABOLISHING THE ENTIRE ESTABLISHMENT. THE “SAVINGS” FROM SUCH “NON-ESSENTIAL SERVICES” (AS I BELIEVE, THE RECENT SEQUESTER OF FUNDS NOW CALLS THE TENS OF THOUSANDS OF GOVERNMENT POSITIONS HELD IN ABEYANCE, TO SAY NOTHING OF THE MILLIONS OF “CONTRACT GOVERNMENT JOBS” THAT WERE DISCONTINUED ON A TEMPORARY BASIS) ARE BASICALLY “INCALCULABLE” TO THE “AVERAGE” CITIZEN.
ONE POSTULATES THAT REDUCING (AND/OR CLOSING?) THESE "OBSOLETE AGENCIES", STARTING WITH THE USPS, WOULD GO FAR TOWARD PAYING A “SIGNIFICANT PORTION OF THE CHINESE “STRANGLE HOLD” (THE MORTGAGE ON OUR CHILDREN’S FUTURE) THAT POLITICIANS WILLINGLY FOISTED ON THEM IN ORDER TO CONTINUE “BUSINESS AS USUAL”, E.G. THE EXCHANGE OF “CONTRIBUTIONS” (THE ELDERLY AMONG US REMEMBER WHEN THEY USED TO BE CALLED BRIBES) FOR “FAVORS”, WHEN THEY (THE POLITICIANS AND BUREAUCRATS) ARE “IN OFFICE” AND, FOR “LUCRATIVE POSITIONS” WHEN THEY LEAVE, BUT THAT IS ANOTHER TOPIC.
WHILE “MANY” RIGHTFULLY CRITICIZE THE “NATIONAL JOKE”, WHICH WAS ONCE A VITAL PART OF OUR SOCIETY, ONE SHOULD ACKNOWLEDGE THAT IT ONCE CONTRIBUTED GREATLY TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF THIS COUNTRY. HOWEVER, FEW INSIDERS WISH TO OFFER ANY “ALTERNATIVES”, SINCE THIS WOULD “DISRUPT THE GRAVY TRAIN” THAT BENEFITS “BOTH THE POLITICIANS AND THE “GROUPS” WHO “CONTROL THEM” USING A "FEW WELL PLACED CONTRIBUTIONS".
NOT BEING “VITALLY CONCERNED” WITH SUCH OUTCOMES, DOES GIVE “T.O.M.” THE OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE “SOME SUGGESTIONS”, THAT, WITHIN A YEAR WOULD “RESOLVE” THE “REAL PROBLEMS” ASSOCIATED WITH THE USPS . HOWEVER, BEFORE “OFFERING SUCH INSIGHTS, IT SEEMED “REASONABLE” TO DO SOME “RESEARCH” INTO THE SPECIFIC NATURE OF THE PROBLEM. WHILE THOSE RESPONSIBLE FOR CREATING THE PROBLEMS COULD EASILY TAKE TEN YEARS AND EXPEND MILLIONS OF DOLLARS FOR SUCH INFORMATION, ONE DOUBTS THAT MORE THAN A “MONTH” IS NECESSARY AND "THE RESULTS" ARE HEREBY OFFERED TO THE GOVERNMENT AT “NO COST”.
A "RANDOM SAMPLE" OF INCOMING MAIL REVEALED THAT 66% COULD BE CLASSIFIED AS "JUNK MAIL", E.G. ITEMS THAT SERVE "NO PURPOSE" EXCEPT TO BENEFIT THE BUSINESSES SENDING THEM AT "BELOW COST" RATES. ANOTHER 33%, INCLUDED SOME "USEFUL" ITEMS, COULD BE CLASSIFIED AS "NOT TIME SENSITIVE". IN OTHER WORDS, IT REALLY DOESN'T MATTER WHEN THE ITEMS ARRIVE. WITH 99 % OF "MAIL" FALLING INTO ONE OF THESE TWO CATEGORIES, THERE IS "OBVIOUSLY NO NEED" TO HAVE DAILY MAIL DELIVERY.
FINALLY, THERE IS THE "TRUE" FIRST CLASS MAIL, WHERE "SENDERS" PAY FAR MORE THAN THE COST OF SENDING "SOMETHING OF VALUE". THIS ALLOWS THE POST OFFICE (LIKE HOSPITALS) TO ENGAGE IN "COST SHIFTING", E.G. TAKING EXORBITANT AMOUNTS OF MONEY FROM INDIVIDUALS WHO BUY FIRST CLASS STAMPS AND USING IT TO "BENEFIT" THE "99%" WHO DO NOT PAY THEIR FAIR SHARE" FOR THE TRANSPORT OF "JUNK MAIL" AND/OR "ITEMS THAT HAVE NO TIME PRIORITY".
WITH THE PERCENTAGE OF 1% BEING UTILIZED TO SUBSIDIZE 99%, IT'S "EASY" TO UNDERSTAND HOW THIS "ANACHRONISM OF GOVERNMENT" COULD EASILY REQUIRE "ADDITIONAL SUBSIDIZATION" AMOUNTING TO BILLIONS OF DOLLARS.
WHILE COLLECTING THE "OBJECTIVE", BUT NOT UNEXPECTED, DATA, THE AUTHOR WAS WORKING DILIGENTLY TO PROVIDE THE MITIGATING SUGGESTIONS THAT ARE “OBVIOUS” EVEN WITHOUT SUCH “RESEARCH INFORMATION”. IN "ANY" REDUCTION OR CESSATION OF NEEDLESS EXPENDITURES AND SERVICES, THERE WILL ALWAYS BE A "FEW" INDIVIDUALS WHO WILL BE "NEGATIVELY IMPACTED. STILL, THESE INDIVIDUALS HAVE "PROFITED FAR TOO LONG" BY ENGAGING IN SUCH "USELESS ACTIVITIES" AND T.O.M. SUGGESTS THAT THE "TIME" FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO "CORRECT ITS PROFLIGATE EXPENDITURES IS LONG OVERDUE.
MOST CITIZENS HAVE BEEN SUBJECTED TO "FAR MORE GOVERNMENT REGULATION AND TAXATION" THAN THEY CAN AFFORD AND, MOST INTELLIGENT PEOPLE DO NOT WANT SUCH ARCANE AGENCIES TO CONTINUE WASTING MONEY THAT MUST NOW BE BORROWED BECAUSE "THE GOVERNMENT" IS ACTUALLY "INSOLVENT". THE INDIVIDUALS INVOLVED
(AFFECTED) HAVE “BECOME THE PROBLEM”, NOT THE SOLUTION AND IT IS "SUGGESTED" THAT FORCING SUCH INDIVIDUALS INTO “PRODUCTIVE WORK”, RATHER THAN “POLITICAL PATRONAGE POSITIONS” WOULD BE GOOD FOR ALL CONCERNED.
IF “COMMUNICATIONS” ARE VITAL TO THE OPERATION OF SOCIETY, AND I THINK THAT IS OBVIOUS, THEN THE NEW “AGENCY OF COMMUNICATION” (NOT ANOTHER GOVERNMENT BOONDOGGLE) SHOULD IMMEDIATELY BEGIN DELIVERY OF EXISTING MAIL ON A THREE, "ALTERNATING DAY" BASIS, E.G. MONDAY, WEDNESDAY AND FRIDAY, THOSE LIVING IN ZIP CODES ENDING IN “ODD NUMBERS” WILL RECEIVE THEIR MAIL, WHILE THOSE LIVING IN ZIP CODES ENDING IN EVEN NUMBERS WILL RECEIVE THEIR MAIL ON TUESDAY, THURSDAY AND SATURDAY. “IMMEDIATELY”, THE NUMBER OF CONTRACT WORKERS WILL FIND THEIR “HOURS” REDUCED FROM A "THEORETICAL 40 TO 24, WHICH HAS THE ADDITIONAL BENEFIT OF RELIEVING THE “CONTRACTORS” OF THE OBLIGATION TO PROVIDE BOTH RETIREMENT AND HEALTH CARE BENEFITS REQUIRED FOR “FULL TIME POSITIONS”. AS “ATTRITION” BEGINS TO SET IN, PERHAPS, SOME OF THE “GOOD WORKERS” WILL WANT TO WORK SIX DAYS WHILE OTHERS "OPT" FOR "PART TIME WORK" AS OPPOSED TO "NO WORK". EITHER WAY, THE SAVINGS AND QUALITY OF SERVICE WILL IMPROVE.
SINCE MANY IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR” ALREADY WORK SIX DAYS A WEEK IN ORDER TO SURVIVE, IT SEEMS UNLIKELY THAT “EMPLOYED PEOPLE” ARE GOING TO COMPLAIN IF THEY HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO SO WITHIN THE RECONSTITUTED "COMMUNICATION INDUSTRY". SINCE THERE ARE NO “REASONABLE” OBJECTIONS POSSIBLE, WHEN THE ALTERNATIVE IS “NO WORK”, ONE SUPPOSES THAT THERE WILL BE A “LONG LINE” OF PEOPLE MORE THAN “WILLING” TO OBTAIN SUCH “LUCRATIVE POSITIONS”.
OF COURSE THERE WILL BE “OPPONENTS”, FROM BOTH SIDES, ARGUING AGAINST SUCH A “CHANGE” AND, IF THEY PREVAIL, THE LOUSY SERVICE WILL CONTINUE AND THE DEFICIT WILL “INCREASE”. THAT IS "THE NATURE" OF "ENTRENCHED GOVERNMENT AND THEIR CONTRIBUTORS. IT IS “DEFINITELY” AN “UPHILL BATTLE”, BUT, ONE WORTH “BILLIONS” OF DOLLARS OVER TIME.
NATURALLY, IT WILL TAKE THE REFORMATION AND/OR ABOLITION OF MANY AGENCIES TO SAVE THE “TRILLIONS” NECESSARY TO “RIGHT THE SHIP OF STATE”. THAT WILL BE A "HAPPY DAY" INDEED. FORTUNATELY, THERE ARE "MANY AGENCIES" MORE THAN READY FOR SUCH ELIMINATION, BUT THAT IS ANOTHER TOPIC.
SECONDLY, THE PRICE PAID FOR SERVICE SHALL BE REQUIRED TO BE A “UNIFORM ONE”, PERHAPS, BY WEIGHT, IF NOT BY PIECE. AS THE AIRLINES HAVE FINALLY REALIZED, THEY ARE IN THE TRANSPORT BUSINESS, BASED ON WEIGHT, NOT ONE INDIVIDUAL, WHO MAY WEIGH THREE TIMES AS MUCH AS THE PERSON SITTING NEXT TO THEM. SIMPLE JUSTICE (FAIRNESS?) REQUIRES SUCH “PRICING”. THEREFORE, NO BUSINESS OR ORGANIZATION, NOR THE GOVERNMENT ITSELF, SHALL BE EXEMPTED FROM PAYING WHAT A “PRIVATE CITIZEN” PAYS FOR THE SAME SERVICE. AFTER ALL, THIS IS “NOW” A “NON-GOVERNMENT AGENCY” (OFFICIALLY, IF NOT IN FACT) IS IT NOT? THEREFORE, THEY SHOULD BE AS “ENTITLED” TO SET A FAIR PRICE FOR THEIR SERVICES AS ANY BUSINESS IN OUR “CAPITALISTIC” SOCIETY.
IN THE PROCESS OF “COST CUTTING” ONE SHOULD NOT OVERLOOK THE DISPOSAL OF EXCESS PROPERTIES NOR THE “EFFICIENT” USE OF CAPITAL AND PERSONNEL. IT “MAY BE” THAT THE IDEA OF “RURAL DELIVERY” NEEDS TO BE LOOKED AT ALSO. PERHAPS THESE “FORTUNATE PEOPLE” WHO CAN AFFORD TO LIVE FAR FROM THE “PROBLEMS” (AND/OR DUBIOUS ADVANTAGES) OF CITY LIVING, “MAY NEED TO MAKE OTHER ARRANGEMENTS” IN TERMS OF “COMMUNICATION”. EVEN “T.O.M.” CANNOT JUSTIFY “REQUIRING” A BUSINESS TO “OPERATE UNPROFITABLY” ALTHOUGH, THIS IS THE “BUSINESS MODEL” PRESENTLY ASSOCIATED WITH THE USPS. THE AIRLINES, AGAIN, LEAD THE WAY IN CLOSING UNPROFITABLE ROUTES.
PRIVATE ENTERPRISE PROBABLY STANDS “MORE THAN READY” TO FILL THE “VOID IN RURAL SERVICES”, OR, GOD FORBID, THOSE WHO CHOSE TO LIVE IN RURAL AREAS WILL HAVE TO “TAKE RESPONSIBILITY” FOR THE “CONSEQUENCES” OF THEIR DECISION.
OBVIOUSLY, THERE ARE “OTHER COST CUTTING MEASURES POSSIBLE”, LIKE PAYING A REASONABLE WAGE ($10.10 IS NOW BEING BANDIED ABOUT)TO PEOPLE WHO DO “BASICALLY MINIMUM WAGE WORK” RATHER THAN THE “KING’S RANSOM” NOW PAID TO THE “POLITICAL HACKS” WHO PRESENTLY OCCUPY THESE POSITIONS. THE NUMEROUS ITEMS, "MISDELIVERED" IS A CONTINUING TESTAMENT TO THE "INCOMPETENCE" OF PRESENT WORKERS WHO, ONE SUPPOSES, ARE "GRADUATES" OF THE "DUMBED DOWN" EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM, WHERE, EVEN THOSE WHO CANNOT READ ARE GIVEN A "DIPLOMA" SIMPLY FOR "SHOWING UP" TO SOCIALIZE WITH THEIR FRIENDS WHILE AVOIDING ANY "MEANINGFUL LEARNING", BUT, I DIGRESS.
ON THE “OTHER SIDE OF THE LEDGER” THERE EXISTS AN “UNPARALLELED” OPPORTUNITY FOR A SERVICE, BASICALLY UNHEARD OF IN THIS COUNTRY, BUT, ONE THAT IS A VITAL PART OF OTHER SOCIETIES. THIS OBVIOUSLY IS THE PROVISION OF “INTERNET” CONNECTIONS TO “EVERYONE”. WHAT HAS HAPPENED, SINCE THE ADVENT OF THE INTERNET, IS THAT THIS COUNTRY HAS “CREATED” A SYSTEM OF “FIRST” AND “SECOND” CLASS CITIZENS. THOSE WITH ACCESS TO THE INTERNET (AT AN UNGODLY PRICE, TO BE SURE) BENEFIT IN “MANY WAYS” OVER THOSE WHO DO NOT HAVE ACCESS TO THE WEALTH OF INFORMATION ON THE INTERNET, AND, IN “MODERN TIMES”, “INFORMATION IS POWER” AS WELL AS "ACCESS" TO ECONOMIC PROSPERITY.
AS ALWAYS, THERE WILL BE “WELL FUNDED” BUSINESSES AND POLITICIANS LOOKING TO LINE THEIR POCKETS” WHO WILL STAND “FIRMLY IN OPPOSITION TO ANY CHANGES THAT “THREATEN THEIR GRAVY TRAIN”. STILL, IT “SEEMS” TO T.O.M., THAT THERE HAS BEEN A BASIC CHANGE IN SOCIETY AND THAT GOVERNMENT MAY VERY WELL HAVE A “STRONG ARGUMENT” THAT IT IS NOW THE “PROPER DUTY” (FOR THE WELFARE OF THE GENERAL POPULATION) TO PROVIDE INTERNET SERVICES TO ALL AT A "FAIR PRICE", MUCH THE SAME AS GOVERNMENT "PROVIDES" UTILITY SERVICES THROUGH PUBLICLY MONITORED PRIVATE ENTERPRISES.
GIVEN THE EXPENSE (REPORTEDLY NEARING A HALF BILLION DOLLARS FOR ONE RECENT DYSFUNCTIONAL SITE) AND ITS “RECENT” LACK OF SUCCESS WITH OPERATING INTERNET SERVICES, THE “GOVERNMENT” IS IN A STRONG POSITION TO DECIDE THAT “CONTRACTING OUT” SUCH SERVICES IS PREFERABLE TO DEPENDING ON THE “POLITICAL APPOINTEES" AND “AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYEES” TO EFFICIENTLY OPERATE SUCH AN ENORMOUS UNDERTAKING. THE WORDS “GOVERNMENT EFFICIENCY” ARE SELDOM USED IN CLOSE PROXIMITY, EXCEPT AS “THE ULTIMATE OXYMORON”.
MUCH AS THE GOVERNMENT “OVERSEES” THE “PUBLIC UTILITIES”, (ELECTRICITY; WATER; TELEPHONES, ETC.) THEY WILL FIND THEIR PROPER ROLE IN SETTING STANDARDS AND REGULATING RATES, ACCORDING TO COSTS, AND NOT ACCORDING TO “HOW MUCH” THE COMPANIES PAY THEM TO “GOUGE THE GENERAL PUBLIC”.
FINALLY, SHOULD THE NEED FOR PROMPT SERVICE JUSTIFY IT, RATHER THAN FORCING ALL USERS TO STAND IN LINE BEHIND 20 OTHER USERS, (HAPLESS VICTIMS OF THE PRESENT SYSTEM), THE USPS “MIGHT” CONSIDER “FIRST CLASS SERVICE”, AS ANOTHER “REVENUE SOURCE”. THE AIRLINES ARE "FIRST" AGAIN IN SHOWING THE WAY TO "PROSPERITY". WHERE A PERSON IS WILLING TO PAY FOR SUCH SERVICE, HE OR SHE IS “USHERED” INTO A SPECIAL LINE AND HIS OR HER NEEDS ARE “IMMEDIATELY ATTENDED TO”, WHILE THE “ORDINARY CITIZENS”, PATIENTLY, OR NOT SO PATIENTLY, WASTE THEIR TIME STANDING IN LINE. INDIVIDUALS CAUGHT UP IN THE TYPICAL 1 1/2 HOUR WAIT TO MAIL A CHRISTMAS PACKAGE, WOULD "CHEERFULLY" PAY AN EXTRA DOLLAR OR TWO TO BE "FREED" FROM THIS SORT OF "CAPTIVITY".
RETURNING TO THE SUBJECT AT HAND, THERE IS LITTLE INVOLVED IN THE “PRESENT SYSTEM” TO JUSTIFY ITS CONTINUANCE, OTHER THAN THE “QUID PRO QUO” BETWEEN GOVERNMENT AND PRIVATE BUSINESSES AS “THEY” TAKE ADVANTAGE OF EACH OTHER TO THE DETRIMENT OF THE COUNTRY. OF COURSE, ONE CAN REASONABLY ARGUE THAT NEITHER THE POLITICIANS OR BUSINESS HAVE “ANY RESPONSIBILITY” FOR THE WELFARE OF THE COUNTRY, BUT, IT “MIGHT” BE AN INTERESTING IDEA TO RETURN TO. FOR NOW, THEIR “ONLY MUTUAL INTEREST” IS TO “MAINTAIN THE STATUS QUO”, WHILE THE ONCE PROUD “POST OFFICE DEPARTMENT” CONTINUES ITS DECLINE INTO “IRRELEVANCE”, EXCEPT FOR ASSUAGING THE “MUTUAL INTEREST OF GREED" WHICH HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH “PROVISION OF COMMUNICATIONS” TO THE POPULATION WHO “PAYS THE TAB”.
ENJOY, T.O.M.
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posted by T.O.M. | 8:42 PM
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