Save the USPS

Today I am writing about a cause very close to my heart as a wedding stationery designer: saving the postal service from losing its funding.

Between this and my Black Lives Matter post, it may seem like the Roseville Blog is getting political. But I don’t see it that way. Both causes are neither Republican nor Democrat, but rather about the moral fabric of our nation. Just as equal rights is something we all should fight for, the postal service is an institution that is essential to our country’s value of free-flowing communication, and a way to connect us all.

First, a little background on the vital civic institution that is the US Postal Service. Did you know it is older than the United States itself? On July 26, 1775, the U.S. postal system was established by the Second Continental Congress, with Benjamin Franklin as its first postmaster general. Over the coming years, “the post” served to circulate news and information to everyone. This came in the form of newspapers + telegrams, and has served as the great equalizer in our society. Since its inception, the postal service has responded to our country’s ever-evolving needs.

The post office is not a for-profit business; it is a self-supporting agency that keeps its door open from postage stamp purchases and other merchandise. Mail is delivered 6 days a week, no matter the weather (or if there is a pandemic afoot), by way of planes, trains, mail trucks, and even mules!

But over the past several decades, the postal service has had many setbacks. People are sending less mail, choosing to email instead or pay bills online, and UPS and FedEx have in some way become competitors. However, did you know that these two shipping services pay the USPS to finish delivery of many of their packages? This is because it’s cheaper for them to hire the postal service to finish the job, and the USPS will deliver to all addresses regardless of how remote they may be.

The Postal Service’s struggles really came to a head in 2000. In 2005, Congress imposed an unprecedented austerity measure on the agency which required USPS to pre-fund retirement benefits 75 years in the future, including for employees who have not even been born yet. This government service is the glue that holds many communities together. And let’s not forget that they employ 7.3 million people, and are a leading employer of minorities, women, and veterans. I can go on and on about its value, but now let’s talk about what you can do.

Here are some simple, actionable steps you can take:

1. Text “USPS” to 50409 to sign the petition to demand funding for the postal service. You can also sign here via change.org.

2. Buy stamps and other merch from USPS.com. As a stationer + proud stamp collector and there are constantly new + beautiful postage stamp designs being released.

The postal service is one of those things in life we’ve all been able to take for granted, but no more. I promise that if it becomes privatized, the effects will be devastating for every American.

Sources: History.com; Theguardian.com; Theatlantic.com

Photo Credit: Peterson Design Photo