March 2, 2010

Can't have it both ways

This report on the "state of the postal service" is a great microcosm of the choices we are going to have to increasingly make over the coming years.

There's a big financial problem:

The U.S. Postal Service estimates $238 billion in losses in the next 10 years if lawmakers, postal regulators and unions don't give the mail agency more flexibility in setting delivery schedules, price increases and labor costs.

There are some reasonable steps that could at least help fix the problem:

In an effort to offset some of the losses, the agency is pushing anew for a dramatic reshaping of how Americans get and send their letters and packages. [Postmaster General John E.] Potter is seeking more flexibility in the coming year to set delivery schedules, prices and labor costs. The changes could mean an end to Saturday mail deliveries, longer delivery times for letters and packages, increases in postage-stamp prices that exceed the rate of inflation, and — possibly — future layoffs.

But nobody seems willing to allow their services to be cut:

The agency's call last year to consolidate about 3,000 post offices drew a firestorm of protest from the public and lawmakers.

We're going to have to grow up if we're ever going to seriously address our government's financial issues. Those lawmakers referenced above aren't going to do it unless we start forcing them to.

It's been a long time since American voters have heard the government say, "Sorry, we just can't afford it." Let's hope we start hearing it sooner rather than later.