http://tori-dobbs.livejournal.com/ ([identity profile] tori-dobbs.livejournal.com) wrote in [community profile] politicartoons2009-10-05 04:06 pm

Re: It applies here too.

[identity profile] redheadrat.livejournal.com 2009-10-06 01:50 pm (UTC)(link)
You do realize that no other company in USA can offer what USPS offers, the slow mail service.

Re: It applies here too.

[identity profile] dr-pepper-spray.livejournal.com 2009-10-06 02:03 pm (UTC)(link)
Um, okay.

UPS and Fed ex are doing well though, right?

Re: It applies here too.

[identity profile] redheadrat.livejournal.com 2009-10-06 02:06 pm (UTC)(link)
a) they came in later to fill the gaps in service left by USPS
b) at what they do they are much better than USPS
c) when USPS moved into express packages, they got sued by UPS, FedEx, Airborne, and DHL on anti-trust grounds immediately and had to settle the case (I was doing some stat research for this case)

Re: It applies here too.

[identity profile] dr-pepper-spray.livejournal.com 2009-10-06 02:21 pm (UTC)(link)
Answer this hypothetical though, what would happen if the Usps didn't exist? Which honestly, their regular postal service is becoming less and less needed.

Re: It applies here too.

[identity profile] redheadrat.livejournal.com 2009-10-06 02:26 pm (UTC)(link)
There would be a private company or few of them competing for the business and government would be doing a job of seeing that the companies do not engage in agreements that would drive the total prices up.

In all reality UPS, FedEx and others keep their prices and service at very good value to consumers.

Re: It applies here too.

[identity profile] dr-pepper-spray.livejournal.com 2009-10-06 02:52 pm (UTC)(link)
I personally don't trust large companies to not collude and artificially drive up prices without a government player in the mix. Then you have lobbyists and a government agency playing cat and mouse with monopolists. Ugh. Meanwhile here's me the consumer having to deal with spending more and more on sending a package out.

Yes, the government doesn't have their hands in certain aspects of mail delivery, but people have a affordable option if they can't afford what the private sector is offering. Because the consumer doesn't have to pay, private companies have to keep their prices low enough to be attractive.

Re: It applies here too.

[identity profile] redheadrat.livejournal.com 2009-10-06 02:55 pm (UTC)(link)
The private companies are offering a DIFFERENT service.

Re: It applies here too.

[identity profile] dr-pepper-spray.livejournal.com 2009-10-06 02:59 pm (UTC)(link)
Yes, but it's still mail. If you didn't have the option then private companies could do whatever they wanted.

Re: It applies here too.

[identity profile] redheadrat.livejournal.com 2009-10-06 03:03 pm (UTC)(link)
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA they could do whatever they wanted.

No it is not just mail.

Re: It applies here too.

[identity profile] dr-pepper-spray.livejournal.com 2009-10-06 03:08 pm (UTC)(link)
Yes, they can do whatever they wanted. UPS or FED EX could jack their prices up to high hell if they so choose, but to the loss of their customers. People would just say "fuck it, it doesn't have to get there over-night." or they'd just drive the fucker. If the Usps was a private player then whats to stop them from colluding to keep the price artificially high? What, some government regulation?

Re: It applies here too.

[identity profile] redheadrat.livejournal.com 2009-10-06 03:10 pm (UTC)(link)
Government did a pretty good job of stopping collusion back in the time, maybe we should not blame the companies, but have a better look at the government?

Re: It applies here too.

[identity profile] dr-pepper-spray.livejournal.com 2009-10-06 03:14 pm (UTC)(link)
Yeah, when we had a rough rider in office. Sorry, but in the case of something like the US mail service, Education, or Health care the best way to keep the market from burning you is to have a public barrier.

Re: It applies here too.

[identity profile] redheadrat.livejournal.com 2009-10-06 03:15 pm (UTC)(link)
barriers work in both directions

Re: It applies here too.

[identity profile] dr-pepper-spray.livejournal.com 2009-10-06 03:18 pm (UTC)(link)
Uh huh.

Re: It applies here too.

[identity profile] dwer.livejournal.com 2009-10-06 03:03 pm (UTC)(link)
no they don't. USPS, FedEx and UPS all offer overnight delivery. They all offer tracking. They all offer second day delivery. They all offer bulk shipping. The only difference is that USPS has exclusive rights to the mailbox on your door.

And that USPS tends to be less expensive for letters.

I have received contracts in the mail, via UPS, via FedEx. I have received packages in the mail, via UPS, via FedEx.

Re: It applies here too.

[identity profile] redheadrat.livejournal.com 2009-10-06 03:04 pm (UTC)(link)
Read up on the facts, mailbox is a very small issue.

Re: It applies here too.

[identity profile] dwer.livejournal.com 2009-10-06 03:13 pm (UTC)(link)
I have read up on the facts. It's all a small issue.

Re: It applies here too.

[identity profile] dwer.livejournal.com 2009-10-06 03:16 pm (UTC)(link)
I'm sure you lie away, sleepless and in agony, over how Equifax got in trouble for violating the law.

Re: It applies here too.

[identity profile] redheadrat.livejournal.com 2009-10-06 03:19 pm (UTC)(link)
No, I just think that using USPS as an example of a success in free enterprise is a failed case, as it is not a free enterprise, it is a government protected, endorsed and engaged monopoly.

Re: It applies here too.

[identity profile] dwer.livejournal.com 2009-10-06 03:23 pm (UTC)(link)
well, since I never said that it was an example of a success in free enterprise, we're all good. You can sleep at night now!

Re: It applies here too.

[identity profile] terminator44.livejournal.com 2009-10-06 05:43 pm (UTC)(link)
In other words, you believe that private monopolies are bad but public monopolies are good. Why?
(deleted comment)

Re: It applies here too.

[identity profile] dwer.livejournal.com 2009-10-06 02:58 pm (UTC)(link)
USPS is plenty quick for what it does.

Re: It applies here too.

[identity profile] redheadrat.livejournal.com 2009-10-06 03:03 pm (UTC)(link)
Yes, and if they lose something they can't even trace it.

Re: It applies here too.

[identity profile] dwer.livejournal.com 2009-10-06 03:13 pm (UTC)(link)
they can if you got tracking for it.

I can't remember the last time the USPS lost something of mine, tho.