Seriously, is there any reason the US Postal Service should be in financial distress? My mail today contained, as it does several times a week, not one but two pitches from CapitalOne to apply for a credit card. I have suspected for some time that the primary function of the United States Postal Service is to deliver CapitalOne’s mailings. It could become the COPS instead of the USPS. Then there’s the mystery occupant we get mail for quite often. As far as we know, if this woman ever lived at this address it was several occupants back. Years ago. But she got some more junk mail today. Of course, that’s nothing compared to my post office box: I’ve had the same box since 1990 – that’s 23 years for the math-challenged – and I still get mail for the previous holder of that box. On the other hand, a client called me earlier this week to inform me that their check to me – correctly addressed to the aforementioned box of 23 years – was returned marked, “Addressee unknown.” Huh? Back to the home address, another envelope in the box today was addressed “To the Parents of Daniel Pearson.” Unfortunately, I am old enough to have zero living parents. Through the envelope’s window I can see the opening of the letter: “You and your student, Daniel, are scheduled to participate in an educational…”
If what I define as “legitimate” mail — a mere fraction of what we get — was all the post office delivered, they would really be hurting. In short, I think the postal service should be very gruntled, not disgruntled at all.