Postage stamps still a relative bargain

Several weeks ago I submitted, and you published, a letter pointing out the difficulties of using the U.S. Postal Service. Recently I saw on TV news about the post office closing several mail distribution centers resulting in slowing delivery by two to three times.

It was mentioned that those proposed cuts in service could be eliminated if the cost of sending an ounce of first-class mail was increased to 61 cents. At that rate the post office would run at a profit and eliminate the danger of going bankrupt.

Research revealed that the cost of mailing an ounce of first-class mail between 1932 and 1958 was 3 cents. Comparing that to the minimum wage, which started in 1938 at 25 cents per hour, it cost 12 percent of the hourly wage to mail one ounce of first-class mail. In 1950 the minimum wage increased to 75 cents, and postage rates did not increase but residential delivery went from twice to once daily.

Throughout the years since then wages and the cost of postage have increased. Postage, however, has increased at a much slower rate and service has eroded. Today the national minimum wage is $7.25 per hour. To attain the 12 percent ratio of postage to wages the cost to send an ounce of first class mail should be 87 cents. The 61-cent rate represents 8.4 percent and the current rate of 44 cents is 6 percent of the current minimum hourly wage.

While I’m not suggesting that I would be happy paying 87 cents to mail a letter, everyone should be happy (at least willing) to pay 61 cents, especially if all other cost-cutting options were exhausted and the difficulties I alluded to were eliminated, or at least minimized.

David Lackowski

Wheeling