What do you think? Privatize the US Post Office?

[Yossarian]

I like paying by check. I don't want to switch to on line payment, because I don't like the companies having the power to overcharge me or raise my rates.

Most banks have online bill paying. It's not a payee-orginated draft against your account, you have to go online and enter how much you want to pay people. Still much faster that actually writing checks.

[creaker]

I think it is called "the Interstate Highway System" these days, along with a bit of our railroad network.

It serves that purpose - but I believe it was justified as a defense project than a way to deliver mail. I could be wrong but I don't think we've had any road infrastructure built specifically for moving mail in a very long time, although that happened in the past.

Wikipedia says in 1838 they passed a law designating all current and future railroads as post roads, so it sounds like all the railroad network is.

Added: this is interesting: http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/infrastructure/origin.htm

[awakenedsoul]

Most banks have online bill paying. It's not a payee-orginated draft against your account, you have to go online and enter how much you want to pay people. Still much faster that actually writing checks.

I've had problems with my old phone company, so I resist it. Maybe it's my age...Also, if there's a power outage, or if computers are down, I like the pay by check option. I don't know how much longer we'll have it!

[ctg492]

The postal system seems so obsolete to me. Important papers/checks being delivered and taken away from box by the road. Right like I would still do that Gas powered cars driving from house to house to deliver stuff, when they for the most part could make one stop even on a designated corner for all. Daily trips to each home. Seems like in todays world what does still arrive could be delivered every few days. The rest could be run like UPS or FedEX.
Post service same as a news"paper",obsolete .

[ApatheticNoMore]

The postal system seems so obsolete to me. Important papers/checks being delivered and taken away from box by the road. Right like I would still do that

But what could possibly go wrong with it all being done on the internet ... there's strong incentive for things not to go wrong but ..

[Gregg]

I use the P.O. to pay my ...internet bill.

I thought that was really funny awakenedsoul!

[ctg492]

I can't remember the last time I put a check for a bill in the mail box. I am lucky the few that ever do arrive like property taxes, sewer bill, I just bike it up and pay. My 80+year old mom, will put a check in the box and wait to make sure it gets picked up. Like it is now is safe hands after it leaves her box.

[peggy]

But what could possibly go wrong with it all being done on the internet ... there's strong incentive for things not to go wrong but ..

Kind of hard to send a physical object through the Internet. except....

http://www.gizmag.com/go/2578/

[jp1]

I've had problems with my old phone company, so I resist it. Maybe it's my age...Also, if there's a power outage, or if computers are down, I like the pay by check option. I don't know how much longer we'll have it!

My father was a systems accountant for the air force for nearly 30 years until he retired 20 years ago. During that time he was part of a committee that was tasked with figuring out how to pay employees scattered around the world, some in places that may not have much bank infrastructure, and whose families may be located elsewhere and need access to the employee's paycheck. The system they came up with was direct deposit. Up until a couple of years ago when the government forced him to begin using it for his pension he absolutely refused to use it. Somehow he felt that the 'realness' of a physical check was better and more reliable then an invisible money transfer into his account.

[Lainey]

Another reason to keep the P.O. around is the popularity of their new campaign "if it fits, it ships" using the free boxes the P.O. provides.
Some friends who used to use UPS or FedEx switched to the P.O. and claim it's much cheaper.