Letter: Hands Off!

To the Editor:

I am deeply concerned about the growing threats to essential public services funded by our tax dollars. Many friends and neighbors fear potential disruptions to their Social Security benefits. Recent college graduates who had hoped to intern or work for NOAA, the National Park Service, Wildlife and Fisheries, or museums now face uncertainty. Dedicated federal employees who took pride in serving the Constitution have had their lives thrown into chaos.

While these issues may not affect everyone directly, there is one service that touches all Americans—the U.S. Postal Service. The USPS is under threat of privatization, a move that will disproportionately harm rural communities. Changes have already begun beneath the surface—mail delivery has slowed, and like a frog in a slowly boiling pot, we may not realize the full impact until it’s too late.

The USPS is a vital part of our ability to communicate and receive essential goods. This is especially true in rural communities, where unreliable internet access makes traditional mail a critical means of staying informed and connected. Privatization threatens to dismantle this lifeline, leaving rural residents further disconnected.

Historically, rural areas faced significant delays in postal access due to poor road conditions and the unprofitability of long-distance deliveries. If privatized, mail service will be dictated by corporate profit rather than public need. Rural residents will likely pay more while receiving less frequent mail service simply because serving them won’t be lucrative enough.
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By law, the USPS was never intended to be a profit-making entity. It was established as a taxpayer-funded public service to ensure reliable and affordable mail delivery for all Americans. Privatization would turn mail delivery into a privilege rather than a right, leaving millions without reliable access to this fundamental service.
We must take action now. Tell Congress: Hands off our Postal Service.

Michelle Petz, LCSW