I strongly disagree with Deputy Opinion Editor Jacob Stewart’s column, “Trump should dismantle USPS – we’d all be better off.”
Article I, Section 8, Clause 7 of the U.S. Constitution granted Congress the authority to establish a postal service. The U.S. Postal Service now provides the infrastructure, legal framework and logistical reach necessary to serve nearly every address in the U.S.
Read the original column: Trump should dismantle the U.S. Postal Service — we’d all be better off
While Stewart suggests that private companies like UPS, FedEx and Amazon could do the job more efficiently, USPS is generally cheaper for packages under 12 ounces.
Unlike the USPS, private carriers do not provide legally recognized proof of delivery and cannot handle classified materials or official documents such as court summonses, tax notices or property liens. They are not required to deliver or accept anything.
FILE PHOTO: A United States Postal Service (USPS) mailbox is pictured in Pasadena, California, U.S., August 17, 2020. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni/File Photo
That being said, the USPS is stuck with prices dictated by lawmakers who often refuse to authorize necessary changes, while private carriers can adjust rates as they see fit.
As a result, USPS frequently handles “last-mile” delivery for companies like FedEx and Amazon for below market value.
Still, despite a $9.5 billion net loss in 2024 on a $79.5 billion budget, USPS receives minimal funding from taxes.
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Its operations are financed by postage and service fees. Raising the cost of a stamp by 12% to just 87 cents could eliminate the deficit while keeping USPS much cheaper and more capable than private carriers.
Stewart also suggests the government could pay for a year of Starlink internet for 11.5 million households for about the same amount USPS “loses” annually. This comparison ignores the $90 billion in annual services the USPS delivers to individuals, businesses, private carriers and the government itself.
The USPS is not an investment. It is a public service that is vital, reliable and unmatched in scope and accessibility. Calls to dismantle it ignore both its foundational role in American infrastructure and the protections built into our founding documents.
James Sluka lives in Bargersville.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: USPS provides vital service FedEx, UPS can’t | Letters