Consumer Reports

The issue is still on the table, you know. The Postal Service is pursuing the idea of cutting back to a 5-day mail delivery schedule in order to save money. In spite of a postal rate increase earlier this year and the reduction of overhead costs, the Postal Service is projecting a 7 billion dollar loss this fiscal year. It appears that the problem is simply a drop in mail volume. We’re using commercial services to deliver packages, paying our bills online, sending e-mails and e-vites to our friends and family instead of the old snail mail. This change in our communication habits is having a big impact at the post office. Personally, the idea of no mail delivery on Saturday doesn’t much bother me. My mail consists mainly of catalogs I don’t want, junk mail and an occasional bill. It’s rare to find a card or letter in the mailbox anymore, so I really don’t think I will miss Saturday mail delivery, if it’s eliminated. Maybe I’m missing something and Saturday mail delivery is more important than I think. I wonder though. In the modern era, is 6-day mail delivery still a necessity, or is it a comforting holdover from our past? If you’ve got a strong opinion on the matter, I encourage you to contact your representatives in the House of Representatives and the Senate to let them know how important it is to you.

A walk in the park is free this weekend! Everyone is invited to national parks across the country for the second of three free admission summer weekends. All 391 national parks will offer free admission this Saturday and Sunday, July 18 and 19, and again on August 15-16.