1. United States
2. N.Y.
3. Letter

The Postal Service belongs to the American people and is enshrined in the Constitution. Privatization would undermine this cherished democratic institution and the universal service it provides. While there are forces seeking to dismantle and profit from the profitable parts of the Postal Service, this would come at immense cost to the public good. The USPS has been deliberately hamstrung by Congress through the uniquely burdensome requirement to pre-fund future retiree health benefits to the tune of $5.6 billion annually. This manufactured financial crisis is then used to justify service cuts and subcontracting attempts by postal leadership. However, the facts show the USPS has been operationally profitable for years when this arbitrary pre-funding mandate is accounted for. Privatization is not the answer. It would incentivize profit over people, leading to diminished services, especially for rural and underserved urban communities. Private carriers have no obligation to provide universal affordable delivery. Instead, the public deserves a revitalized Postal Service that continues serving all Americans equitably as a constitutional democratic cornerstone. We urge undoing the pre-funding policy and reinvesting in this vital public infrastructure for generations to come.