Why do we (🇺🇸) still have the mail?

Question

I remember a Seinfeld episode about this years ago, many years ago, before Amazon and Jeff Bezos even existed. Seriously? With email, FedEx, UPS, etc, why do we still use the mail? I think the only time I send something is around Christmas time. And the difference between the mail and FedEx, UPS, etc. You don't have to pay for FedEx and UPS unless you use them. Whereas the mail is paid with our tax dollars. What are your thoughts?

People in other countries reading this? What are your thoughts for your country?

OneViewpoint · Accepted Answer

Damn you dumb. Or you're a liar. Or you're MAGA. Or all three.

The United States Postal Service (USPS) is self-funded and generally receives no tax dollars for its operating expenses.

How the USPS is Funded

Sales and Services: The U. S. Postal Service pays for its daily operations using money earned from selling stamps, shipping packages, and offering other postal products.
No Tax Revenue: Since the Postal Reorganization Act of 1970, the agency has been required by law to operate like a business without regular congressional tax appropriations.
Borrowing Power: While it does not get tax money, the USPS is allowed to borrow funds through the federal government (such as from the Federal Financing Bank) to finance large investments or operations when needed.

On top of that, UPS, FedEx, Amazon, and any other private ground delivery network uses the fuck out out the US Post Office for "last mile delivery". Because haven multiple ground networks as extensive as the USPS would bankrupt all of them or cause prices to go through the roof.

Ask Amazon,, UPS, and FedEx if they want to get rid of the USPS and lose half of the US population living in rural areas as customers. Because they sure as shit don't want to expand their own ground networks into a money losing proposition serving those rural MAGA voters.

Educate yourself before you embarrass yourself.

Snakeyes7 · Accepted Answer

I think the only real reason for mail is for shipping physical objects. Anything other than that is kinda pointless.

NoDecision · Accepted Answer

The government does not finance the post office. They get their income from selling services and stamps. The government will bail out auto makers and banks, but not a dime to the post office. As far as UPS, Fed Ex, and Amazon, they hand off a lot of their parcels for the post office to deliver because the post office has to deliver to every address in the US, no matter how remote. They have carriers delivering over water ways and even to the bottom of the Grand Canyon, whether it is profitable or not. The other companies dump their unprofitable deliveries to the post office.

Amy10223 · Accepted Answer

Well, believe it or not, some people don't have access to computers in order to pay their mortgages or bills. Some people like to have penpals that they write to. And others still like sending cards such as birthday cards and holiday cards to one another.

Besides--how else would we be able to get all that paper junk mail?

Lliam · Answer

I love USPS. It is self funded and does not receive tax dollars.

It delivers and picks up right at my mailbox every day. Does UPS or FedX pick up envelopes from your mailbox every day? And how much would it cost if they did?

I have a lot of "forever" stamps that I bought years ago for way less than stamps cost today.

There are very few things that I pay electronically. I receive monthly bills and pay by check. I also prefer receiving printed documents that I can file away as opposed to electronic documents. Electronic stuff is ephemeral.

Stuff delivered by mail can't be monitored or traced like electronic communication. USPS is the last vestige of privacy.

I avoid making electronic payments because I don't want to grant companies access to my ATM or credit cards. And I use check or cash as much as possible to fend off the institutionalization of a digital currency system which will be the final nail in freedom's coffin.

The problem with USPS is, congress is trying to sabotage and privatize it. They want to sell off USPS offices and assets and force people to do everything electronically, which will isolate millions of people. It will drive up the cost of delivery, make people vulnerable to electronic eves dropping, and help to usher in digital currency.

katiesmuff · Answer

I think you've been sipping too much of what you apparently serve for a living. There are big reasons why places like the IRS, SS, Utilities, Banks, etc will tell you to not take the word of some things you see in emails or text messages due to the huge extent of fraud and fake accounts, and that none of those places will do very important information only by mail so you know it's authentic.

I could go along with a program where mail was only delivered maybe 3 times a week.

abc3643 · Answer

The United States Postal Service is one of the greatest creations of the Second Millennium. It was so successful in helping create and grow this country that other nations emulated it. It is your initial portal to the Federal Government; US Post Offices are where you see federal workers on a regular basis and are often the centers of small communities. The private sector is not as reliable in the long run. The private sector is never as reliable in the long run, which is exactly why, in the Preamble to the US Constitution, defense is left to the federal government and not the private sector.

browsingthroughthe · Answer

I'm glad the 📬 or post 🏣 is being continued until the day they phase out paper / phase out printers / everything goes digital - hopefully it'll be a long long time.

Training to be an Admin in 2013 - they said then paper would still be with us for some time yet. And here we are in 2026 - and it's still here 🖨️📠📬👌🏻 the only sad demise is the Fax 📠

RavVid · Answer

Don't know about the US but a small letter and a large letter is OK for delivering some small items and both are cheaper postage than for a small parcel.

Parcels are the only reason for mail and Aus Post is better than the various delivery services and has zero tax payer subsidies.

rgb008 · Answer

I love the mail. I look forward to receiving and sending mail daily :g

Abbycado · Answer

I still get some USPS stuff at school. My school mailbox mostly gets filled with junk flyers from different school groups.

Guyneedsfeedback · Answer

Government communication still goes via USPS. USPS does a bunch that none of the other services you mentioned due effectively especially for rural communities. USPS finishes most deliveries in rural areas.

fishbone77 · Answer

I don't know. 90% of what I pull out of the box goes straight in the garbage. It's just stealing money from us at this point.

DishLady · Answer

Bc there's still a generation that doesn't email.

NathanDavis · Answer

to mail packages... and spam people at their houses

msc545 · Answer

We still have the mail because it's cheaper, generally, and we also still have the mail for delivering mail ballots.

AviatorTom · Answer

Sometimes, paper is required. And there are always packages to deliver.

strateguy632 · Answer

so demicrats can have a chance to win by cheating in mail in ballots.

spartan55 · Answer

Newman brought a whole new perspective to the USPS.

sage2021 · Answer

I'm with @Lliam on the one, and for all the same reasons.

exitseven · Answer

We still have the mail to give military veterans a place to have a good job.

Iron_Man · Answer

to get paper bills And letters and birthday cards

Theodora98 · Answer

Because the older generation has a hard time navigating the net.

FunkyMonkee · Answer

How else are you gonna get things sent to you?

Laurenvol · Answer

Slowly going all digital

MrChinaski · Answer

Denmark has almost eliminated mail.

ElenaLena · Answer

To waste papers…

robocop666 · Answer

dont you send packages in the mail?

Anonymous · Answer

I haven't sent a letter in years

Likes2drive · Answer

They were supposed to privatize years ago

Why do we (🇺🇸) still have the mail?

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