Protesters object to postal service cutbacks
Dozens of people attended a rally on Lee Highway in front of the Merrifield Post Office Aug. 22 to protest efforts to curtail mail service.
“We’re here to support the right to vote safely by mail,”
said organizer Mary Farrell of the Vienna Postcard Group. “Mail is deliberately
being slowed, and postal workers are concerned about losing their jobs.”
The group was there to protest actions by Postmaster General
Louis DeJoy to suppress voting by mail by slowing
down postal operations and removing mailboxes and sorting machines.
President Trump admitted earlier this month that his efforts
to block funds for the Postal Service are aimed at preventing the agency from
being able to handle the expected surge in absentee voting in November. All this is happening during the COVID-19 pandemic, when voting by mail poses less of a health risk than waiting in line at the polls.
Dan Gray, of Annandale, said he was at the rally because “I’m
concerned about efforts to cripple the vote by defunding the Post Office.”
Another protestor, Nick Manicone, of Vienna, noted that the
U.S. Postal Service is mandated in the U.S. Constitution [Article I, Section 8,
Clause 7].
“I depend on the mail, like most Americans do,” said Jo Ann
Smith, of Burke. “I don’t think this is a political issue. Postal workers are
on the front lines during COVID. I
really appreciate what they do.”
5 responses to “Protesters object to postal service cutbacks”
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Seriously, do they really think that each household sending an additional 2 letters (ballots) on average is going to kill postal delivery? Are you still getting your electric bill and gas bill? Mine come on the same day that they used to come. Did your Mom get her Mother's Day card (a very high mail time)? The Postal Service income is down because there is much less mail now. It has to be funded, but this hoopla is ridiculous.
The hoopla was caused by additional mail sorters and mail boxes being removed. I use to work for USPS. We were removing old mail and packaging sorters for new high speed packaging sorters, where the bulk of their business has been heading. This is been going on for years, I ran one of the programs. The problem is that USPS cannot set pricing but are expected by the idiots in Congress and the brainless President for the USPS to have a successful business model with their hands in handcuffs. Try to close a local postal office and the local congressman screams. Try to raise postal rates, the congress screams. Given that USPS is under the executive branch, try to ask for more money to assist with spikes due to COVID, the President screams. Due to limits on hiring and a very accelerated early retirement program to reduce overhead they do not have the staff to meet demands.
One of the things that postal service has done is to sell its vast wealth of real estate and historic buildings. They are now considering selling their Headquarters in DC. This is no way to treat USPS. This is government at it worse. The government needs to make the Postal Service Accountable in a smart and sensible way, and that is not by chopping their lefts off. Trump and his slimy hacks would like to kill every agency that is not praising him as the omnipotent. The new Postmaster General, DeJoy has a hard job, I do not envy him. He is sandwiched between a dummy President and a struggling agency trying to do its best during a pandemic.
The Postal Service's demise is a result of its own mismanagement, and an incompetent federal government that has not helped and that has interfered enough to ensure its failure. And if its up to Trump, NIH and the FDA may be going the same route.
Yet, another protest to fund a failing service even deeper.
The funny part is that while this funding is paid by the US tax payer , the true benefits are Chinese manufacturers that enjoys a subside for sending their products over at 0 cost.
practically, this protest should be titles "Let china thrive on our expense"
Either start to compete or go federal. Quasi federal does not work. Blame this on Congress and the Board of Governors appointed by Congress. They are the problem. Worked there, been there. It is time to change the delivery and stop Saturday mail. Seen too much waste, overtime and for sure how the Unions approach everything…you can almost blame them as well. It is time for the USPS to become private and start to compete. Fed up with the fact that other companies can drop mail in areas where the USPS then must delivery….called creamers…i.e. drop off in Juno, Alaska by FedEx..USPS must deliver 50 miles away. Time to clean house. Thank God a business man is the PMG. Wake up. I bet not one of these protestors have ever worked there and most likely pay their bills online or electronically.
Just vote in Freakin person (if you are able). Wear your mask. Social Distance. Don't touch your face. Sanitize/wash your hands. You'll be fine. This vote is too important to wonder if your ballot was counted.