I am disappointed that my representative, John Curtis, voted against the house bill to give needed dollars to the USPS ahead of the November election — despite his statement that the USPS needs additional funding. It may be true that mail-in ballots will increase demands on the system by less than 2%, but the percentage is debatable because many more than usual mail-in ballots will be used.
Recently, the USPS removed high volume sorting machines, mailboxes and cut overtime. Although Louis DeJoy has put a 90 day moratorium on moving boxes, he does not address the sorting machines or boxes already disabled. While state election authorities have their own responsibilities, that doesn't mitigate the USPS role.
Our president sows mistrust when he denigrates mail-in ballots. So does DeJoy in sending a letter to 46 states and Washington D.C. warning that the USPS could not guarantee all ballots cast via mail would arrive in time to be counted.
Postal service employees are hardworking and dedicated and we appreciate their service! But Curtis and like-minded representatives who vote no on USPS funding are being disingenuous. It is called the postal service — because it is a service that Americans rightfully expect the federal government to adequately fund. The USPS is not a business which must turn a profit. Do we expect public schools or the U.S. Armed Services to turn a profit or balance their budgets? Do we expect fire departments and police departments to turn a profit? No!
Some services we expect the federal government to provide and fund for the public good. The USPS has been a vital service for over 200 years, providing a means for us to communicate with each other in big and small ways. Congress should fund it.
Rochelle Kaplan, Cottonwood Heights
Donate to the newsroom now. The Salt Lake Tribune, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) public charity and contributions are tax deductible