First things first: we're not taxpayer funded. At all. Sure, we get government monopolies on certain things of value (and things like cheap loan terms), but the budget isn't by the taxpayer. It's by the services provided. If you buy stamps, you fund us. If you don't, you don't.— Dingus J McGee, ESQ* (@lildipshit3) April 10, 2020
Third: We're in the constitution. Literally. You know that thing you occasionally pretend to love when it serves your interests? It's explicitly in there. We're legally required to exist.— Dingus J McGee, ESQ* (@lildipshit3) April 10, 2020
Fifth: You can be certain, if given the chance, certain politicians would love to GIVE AWAY this infrastructure, a la the $70 billion in digital broadcast licenses they gave away for free to Telecom companies in 1996 with no strings attached.— Dingus J McGee, ESQ* (@lildipshit3) April 10, 2020
Why? Because the idea is everyone in America, no matter where they are, should have the same, guaranteed access to a valuable line of communication. A birthday card from across country is as valuable as a wedding invite from one town over.— Dingus J McGee, ESQ* (@lildipshit3) April 10, 2020
But the one thing I pride myself on the most in terms of service is something you can guarantee won't happen in privatized, for-profit model. UPS, FedEx, Amazon, DHL, etc ALL dump pacakages on our docks every single day. Ones they say aren't profitable. We take them the last mile— Dingus J McGee, ESQ* (@lildipshit3) April 10, 2020
I work in a position called a "T6," or a "Carrier Technician." Put simply: USPS delivers 6 days a week, and employees work 5 days. For every 5 routes in an office, there's a T6 to carry the 6th day on each of those 5 routes who have a regular the other 5 days. Full-time position— Dingus J McGee, ESQ* (@lildipshit3) April 10, 2020
I know which senior residents would like their mail delivered to the door, even if they have a curbside box. I know who needs their packages (often for home business) tucked into a corner behind the garage. Who is going to need an extra minute to get to the door to sign.— Dingus J McGee, ESQ* (@lildipshit3) April 10, 2020
For millions across the country, we're the only face they often see all day, even before social distancing. Their connection to the world around them, even if it's just for a comment on the weather, or to be a two minute ear for a rant about "kids these days."— Dingus J McGee, ESQ* (@lildipshit3) April 10, 2020
And the reason to bring this all up is to say that it's all in jeopardy in a private market. There's no profit to be had in uniform pricing or remote delivery locations. There's no profit in being your community's friendly face.— Dingus J McGee, ESQ* (@lildipshit3) April 10, 2020
These little details cost time and money. Things the private sector wants to cut, and that we've only been forced to do likewise with as political interests deliberately undermine our finances, waiting for a chance like this pandemic to auction us off.— Dingus J McGee, ESQ* (@lildipshit3) April 10, 2020
Thanks for listening. I'll see you on the streets, from 6 feet away. And keep your dog on a leash, please.— Dingus J McGee, ESQ* (@lildipshit3) April 10, 2020
Not only does USPS tie communities together, but the organization has helped lift many of them up. Rather than talking about letting us die, you should be asking how to help strengthen us.— Dingus J McGee, ESQ* (@lildipshit3) April 11, 2020
The biggest handicaps we face on a daily basis: unreliable vehicles, overworked and undertrained staff, extreme turnover amongst non-career employees: it's all artificial and can be improved by giving us the financial flexibility that was deliberately robbed from us.— Dingus J McGee, ESQ* (@lildipshit3) April 11, 2020
PS: If you're reading this and want a much easier, more direct way to help us out? Volume is down right now by considerable amounts (our office is 50% lighter some days during COVID-19!). Go online, buy some stamps. Have them delivered. Write an old fashion card to a friend today— Dingus J McGee, ESQ* (@lildipshit3) April 12, 2020
